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There’s something about pasta that just works, no matter what kind of outing you’re aiming for. Maybe it’s a rich sauce that turns dinner into a full reset, a handmade noodle that feels like a little upgrade, or a baked classic that always hits the spot. From house-made pastas to seafood-forward bowls and cozy, casserole-style plates, these Metro Detroit restaurants serve pasta that’s easy to crave and even easier to build a meal around.
Aurora Italiana
6199 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township
Aurora Italiana’s pasta is the kind you can build an entire night around. The Aurora team shares, “Aurora Italiana in West Bloomfield and Aurora on the Lake in Commerce Township capture the vibrant essence and fresh flavors of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, with menus curated by the Prime Concepts Detroit culinary team. The pasta program is a standout, featuring classics like creamy Cacio e Pepe, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Pasta Carbone, alongside elevated dishes such as Rigatoni al Bosco with filet mignon tips, wild mushrooms, ricotta salata, and a creamy truffle demi-glace. Guest favorites also include Tagliatelle Bolognese with a house-made veal and beef sauce and the Strozzapreti Norcina with Italian fennel sausage, palomino sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, and white truffle oil. Every dish starts with fresh pasta that is handmade in-house daily, paired with sauces and recipes built from scratch for an authentic, flavor-forward experience.” If you want to branch out beyond the pasta bowls, there’s plenty of crossover energy in the menu, like Meatball Siciliano, Shrimp Diavola, and Burrata al Pesto that pair well with a carb-forward order.
Cantoro Trattoria
15550 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth
Cantoro Trattoria gives pasta lovers plenty of directions to go, from classic comfort to seafood-forward plates. For a traditional mood, Tagliatelle alla Bolognese layers veal, beef, sausage, and pancetta into a rich ragù, finished with parmesan. If you prefer creamy sauces, Penne alla Vodka comes with pancetta, shallots, vodka, tomato, cream, and scallions, while Elicoidali Norcina brings sausage, cream, black peppercorn, basil, and lemon into the mix. Seafood fans can look toward Linguine con Granchio with blue crab and bisque, or the squid-ink Linguine Pescatore loaded with mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, and calamari in garlic, white wine, marinara, and fumé. Even the wood-fired pizza feels like it belongs in the same conversation when you’re planning a full Italian-style feast.
Eataliana Homemade Pasta
52901 Shelby Road, Shelby Township
Eataliana Homemade Pasta is a go-to when you want to explore filled pastas and baked classics in one stop. The ravioli lineup runs from Halfmoon Ravioli with ricotta and spinach in pesto to Sunflower Ravioli stuffed with prosciutto and grana padanoin a butter sage sauce. If you want something heartier, the Square Ravioli with wine-braised beef and pork pairs with salsa rosa, while Seafood Ravioli mixes shrimp and salmon, sautéed in brandy, with salsa rosa and ricotta. For baked comfort, the lasagna is stacked with Salsa-Mia, béchamel, mozzarella, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and the Cannelloni rolls broccoli and Italian sausage into a creamy béchamel finish. You can also keep it simple with Spaghetti & Aglio Olio, penne with arrabbiata, or Linguine with Clams when you’re in a “just give me noodles” mood. For dessert, choose from options like classic crème brûlée and cannoli, or go in a different direction with the Fruit Tiramisu. Additionally, if you’d like to learn how to make your own pasta, this is the place to be.
Pastaio
17043 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe
Pastaio’s menu reads like a greatest-hits list with plenty of room for repeat visits. If you’re choosing purely by pasta, you can go classic with Spaghetti Carbonara, Spaghetti Pomodoro, or Pappardelle Bolognese, or switch it up with Bucatini Amatriciana or Rigatoni Boscaiola with sausage and mushroom cream sauce. If you want something that tastes like a weekend treat, Short Rib Ragù and Frutti di Mare are the kinds of orders that anchor the table. The small plates also make it easy to build a full spread before your bowl arrives, with options like Fried Burrata, Clams Casino, Fritto Misto, and Grilled Octopus. For a simple add-on that still feels intentional, an affogato or gelato dessert can round things out.
Square One Eats & Treats
4750 West Walton Boulevard, Waterford Township
Square One Eats & Treats covers pasta in a way that works for both comfort-seekers and groups that prefer variety. Their pasta lineup includes Baked Mostaccioli with signature meat sauce, Italian sausage, and mozzarella, Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs, Shrimp Scampi over linguine, and Chicken Tortellini Palomino topped with grilled chicken. If you want to steer the ship yourself, the create-your-own pasta option lets you choose from scratch-made pastas and house-made sauces. One favorite is the Pasta in a Bread Bowl, which is deliciously filling and comforting at the same time. For something lighter, Vegetable Linguine comes together with sautéed peppers and zucchini in a creamy white wine sauce. It’s also the kind of place where you can round out the table with soup, salads, and a dessert moment like Cannoli Crust Cheesecake, Ivy’s S’More Board, or Cannoli Dip.
Adelina
1040 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
Adelina’s house-made pasta section is built for cravings, whether you’re in the mood for something creamy, spicy, or packed with seafood. Go for the Rigatoni with Calabrian chili palomino, stracciatella, and basil, or lean into comfort with the Casarecce tossed in braised wagyu beef Bolognese and parmesan. If you want a richer, cozier pick, the Woodland Truffle & Porcini Ravioli brings ricotta and mascarpone together with black truffle in a porcini sauce with roasted oyster mushrooms. For a more celebratory bowl, the Chitarra with lobster, shrimp, and arrabbiata keeps things bold and bright.
Pasta nights can be anything you need them to be: a quick comfort fix, a full-on feast, or a reason to finally try a dish you’ve been eyeing for weeks. If you start with the pasta style you’re craving, like filled ravioli, spicy vodka sauce, seafood-forward bowls, or baked classics, it gets much easier to pick your spot and order with confidence. The best part is how naturally pasta fits into every kind of plan, from date-night energy to casual group dinners. However you do it, let the bowl be the centerpiece and build the rest of the meal around it.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on October 18, 2022, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
