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The ribbony tagliatelle at Nobie’s.
Nobie’s/Facebook

10 Ridiculously Comforting Bowls of Pasta to Eat in Houston Right Now

Soothe your existential dread with a heaping bowl of udon carbonara, tagliatelle Bolognese, and more

by Brittanie Shey
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The ribbony tagliatelle at Nobie’s.
| Nobie’s/Facebook
by Brittanie Shey

There are few meals in life more comforting than a bowl of pasta. From gooey, cheesy lasagna with just the right amount of burnt cheese to meaty Bolognese atop a pile of perfectly al dente, freshly made noodles, pasta is perfect for both soothing existential dread and an empty stomach.

In Houston, restaurants are taking pasta to a whole new level, fusing together cuisines and innovative techniques. From a Japanese take on classic carbonara to Cajun crab and crawfish noodles and perfectly toasted gnocchi with creamy sauteed mushrooms, these 10 pasta dishes are must-trys this fall.

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The Spaghetti Western Italian Cafe

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Like a Texas Tuxedo (cowboy hat, jeans, boots and a blazer), Spaghetti Western is unassuming but classic. The same goes for the restaurant’s classic dish, The Spaghetti Western Formal Wear — bowtie pasta (of course), mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and creamy garlic sauce, all with a plentiful portion of grilled chicken. Don’t forget the breadsticks on the side. Order online through the Slice app.

1608 Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-1313
(713) 861-1313

B.B. Italia

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The cheesey, layered eggplant parmesan at B.B. Italia is coated in lightly crispy breading, drenched in tomato sauce with plenty of basil, and served on a bed of rigitoni. Bonus: diners can order a family Parm Pack that serves four, with the choice of eggy parm, chicken parmesan, shrimp, sausage or meatball, for $72. The meal includes garlic bread and a large Caesar salad. Order online here.

14795 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
(281) 531-0696
(281) 531-0696

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Bludorn Restaurant

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The short rib-stuffed ravioli at Chef Aaron’s Bludorn’s new Montrose restaurant is paired with the unexpected flavors of fig and blue cheese. Or go for something more veggie-rich, like the squash gnocci with lacinato kale and sage.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Also featured in:

OSTIA

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The vegetarian gnocci at Ostia is pan-toasted, giving it a crispy, charred exterior and chewy, doughy interior. Add a pile of creamy wild mushrooms, spicy arugula and parmesan cheese, and you’ve got fall comfort in a bowl.

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

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Nancy's Hustle

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It’s not on the menu every day, but when Nancy’s Hustle offers lasagna, you better order it. The pasta is layered with meaty spoonfuls of bolognese sauce and cooked to perfection to ensure maximum crispy edges. Call (346) 571-7931 to order.

2704 Polk St A, Houston, TX 77003
(346) 571-7931
(346) 571-7931

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Carrabba's - The Original On Kirby

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Though Carrabba’s has since gone national (it’s now owned by the parent company of Outback Steakhouse) it was originally founded in Texas by the sons of a Sicilian family. Get a taste of that original Italian heritage with rigatoni campagnolo, with fennel sausage made in-house, pomodoro-sautéed red peppers, and topped with creamy goat cheese. Order online for takeout here.

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-3131
(713) 522-3131

Also featured in:

Nobie's

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The Nonno’s Pasta, ribbony housemade tagliatelle with bonalense sauce, is a classic, but for something a bit more creative, go for the “Spaghetti and meatballs”, summer squash and spaghetti squash with seasoned Duroc pork meatballs. Order online here.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

Also featured in:

Bayou City Seafood & Pasta

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Bayou City recently moved into brand new digs just a few blocks east of the original Richmond location, but their menu still features a massive selection of Cajun-inspired pastas. Try the Pasta Liberty, with shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish in a creamy white wine sauce with a choice of angel hair or fettucine. The new location features a generous indoor-outdoor bar area for those looking to dine al fresco. Call (713) 621-6602 to order takeout.

4712 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 621-6602
(713) 621-6602

Tony's

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For half a century, Tony’s has offered Neapolitan food with a Gulf Coast flare, a menu that is perfectly reflected in the blue crab fettuccine, served with lump crap meat, creamy vodka sauce made with Tito’s, and spicy Vallone sausage. Click here to order online.

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046
(713) 622-6778
(713) 622-6778
a plate of fettuccine with blue crab meat and sausage
Blue crab fettuccine at Ton’y
Tony’s/Facebook

Also featured in:

Ishin Udon

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This Bellaire restaurant features an entire menu of Italian-inspired noodle dishes prepared with ingredients like miso, bonito, and shiso. Ishin’s take on carbonara includes miso-cream udon noodles, bacon, custardy onsen tamago-style eggs, bonito and Japanese mustard greens.

9630 Clarewood Dr Suite A15-B, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 239-2955
(713) 239-2955
a plate of udon noodles prepared carbonara-style, with bacon, soft egg and bonito flakes
Udon carbanara at Ishin
Ishin Udon/Facebook

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The Spaghetti Western Italian Cafe

1608 Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Like a Texas Tuxedo (cowboy hat, jeans, boots and a blazer), Spaghetti Western is unassuming but classic. The same goes for the restaurant’s classic dish, The Spaghetti Western Formal Wear — bowtie pasta (of course), mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and creamy garlic sauce, all with a plentiful portion of grilled chicken. Don’t forget the breadsticks on the side. Order online through the Slice app.

1608 Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-1313
(713) 861-1313

B.B. Italia

14795 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079

The cheesey, layered eggplant parmesan at B.B. Italia is coated in lightly crispy breading, drenched in tomato sauce with plenty of basil, and served on a bed of rigitoni. Bonus: diners can order a family Parm Pack that serves four, with the choice of eggy parm, chicken parmesan, shrimp, sausage or meatball, for $72. The meal includes garlic bread and a large Caesar salad. Order online here.

14795 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
(281) 531-0696
(281) 531-0696

Bludorn Restaurant

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

The short rib-stuffed ravioli at Chef Aaron’s Bludorn’s new Montrose restaurant is paired with the unexpected flavors of fig and blue cheese. Or go for something more veggie-rich, like the squash gnocci with lacinato kale and sage.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

OSTIA

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

The vegetarian gnocci at Ostia is pan-toasted, giving it a crispy, charred exterior and chewy, doughy interior. Add a pile of creamy wild mushrooms, spicy arugula and parmesan cheese, and you’ve got fall comfort in a bowl.

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

Nancy's Hustle

2704 Polk St A, Houston, TX 77003

It’s not on the menu every day, but when Nancy’s Hustle offers lasagna, you better order it. The pasta is layered with meaty spoonfuls of bolognese sauce and cooked to perfection to ensure maximum crispy edges. Call (346) 571-7931 to order.

2704 Polk St A, Houston, TX 77003
(346) 571-7931
(346) 571-7931

Carrabba's - The Original On Kirby

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Though Carrabba’s has since gone national (it’s now owned by the parent company of Outback Steakhouse) it was originally founded in Texas by the sons of a Sicilian family. Get a taste of that original Italian heritage with rigatoni campagnolo, with fennel sausage made in-house, pomodoro-sautéed red peppers, and topped with creamy goat cheese. Order online for takeout here.

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-3131
(713) 522-3131

Nobie's

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

The Nonno’s Pasta, ribbony housemade tagliatelle with bonalense sauce, is a classic, but for something a bit more creative, go for the “Spaghetti and meatballs”, summer squash and spaghetti squash with seasoned Duroc pork meatballs. Order online here.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

Bayou City Seafood & Pasta

4712 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027

Bayou City recently moved into brand new digs just a few blocks east of the original Richmond location, but their menu still features a massive selection of Cajun-inspired pastas. Try the Pasta Liberty, with shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish in a creamy white wine sauce with a choice of angel hair or fettucine. The new location features a generous indoor-outdoor bar area for those looking to dine al fresco. Call (713) 621-6602 to order takeout.

4712 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 621-6602
(713) 621-6602

Tony's

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046

For half a century, Tony’s has offered Neapolitan food with a Gulf Coast flare, a menu that is perfectly reflected in the blue crab fettuccine, served with lump crap meat, creamy vodka sauce made with Tito’s, and spicy Vallone sausage. Click here to order online.

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046
(713) 622-6778
(713) 622-6778
a plate of fettuccine with blue crab meat and sausage
Blue crab fettuccine at Ton’y
Tony’s/Facebook

Ishin Udon

9630 Clarewood Dr Suite A15-B, Houston, TX 77036

This Bellaire restaurant features an entire menu of Italian-inspired noodle dishes prepared with ingredients like miso, bonito, and shiso. Ishin’s take on carbonara includes miso-cream udon noodles, bacon, custardy onsen tamago-style eggs, bonito and Japanese mustard greens.

9630 Clarewood Dr Suite A15-B, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 239-2955
(713) 239-2955
a plate of udon noodles prepared carbonara-style, with bacon, soft egg and bonito flakes
Udon carbanara at Ishin
Ishin Udon/Facebook

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