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Where to Order When All You Crave Is a Big Bowl of Pasta

The ultimate comfort when everything else feels like too much

A slate blue/gray bowl filled with rigatoni, with rough, textured ridges, tossed in vibrant orange/red sauce studded with little bits of meat, garnished with crumbles of cheese and tiny green onions
Order pasta kits from Aliment Pasta Co. for same-day pick up at the Food Building in Northeast
Aliment Pasta Co. [Official]

According to experts, carbohydrates lead to an increase in serotonin levels. So, that overwhelming desire to eat a pile of noodles literally, and scientifically, makes us feel better. Reaching for a cheesy bowl after an emotionally draining day will pump some feel-good chemicals into your brain.

Since locally-made fresh noodles are not dried and preserved to the degree of boxes at the grocery store for longer shelf life, cooking time is mere minutes once the pot of salted water reaches a rolling boil. A home cook doesn’t need more than a large pot and a strainer to plate up something wonderful.

With warmer days come bright and herbaceous pestos and heirloom tomato sauces gently blitzed with quality olive oil and salt. Done thoughtfully and intentionally, pasta can (and should) be eaten year-round. There’s no time like the present.

New Kids on the Block: Aliment Pasta Co.

Photo of a bowl of cacio e pepe with lots of parmesan cheese.
Aliment Pasta Co. / Instagram

Northeast Minneapolis’ Aliment Pasta Co. has recently joined the ranks of other talented and dedicated pasta-makers in the Twin Cities. The dinner boxes for two or four feature classics like cacio e pepe, ravioli, and lasagna yet receive a personal touch. Instead of using spaghetti, the cacio e pepe utilizes a rougher noodle, bigoli, made with locally-milled Baker’s Field flour. This “highly textured spaghetti” is perfect to catch cheesy peppery goodness in every bite. Individual options of both extruded pasta and filled pasta by the pound range in price from $12.50 to $20. Order online for pick up at the Food Building in Northeast.

The Neighborhood Gem: The Bungalow Club

Various homemade bags of pasta, wine, and sauces.
The Bungalow Club / Facebook

The Bungalow Club in Seward is serving a special pasta menu to benefit local non-profits every Sunday. Children eat for $2 and a portion from each bowl of pasta will be donated. Additionally, on Thursdays and Sundays homemade pasta, sauces, prepared foods, wines, beers, and more are available to purchase and make at home. This cozy neighborhood haunt also boasts one of the most charming patios come summertime. Order online for pick up at the restaurant.

Just Like Nonna Made: Broder’s Pasta Bar

Red and white checked plates home a massive square of lasagna, a bowl is brimming with Cesar salad, and another plate of spaghetti, breadsticks and lattice crust-topped bars are visible
A whole spread of comfort, Broder’s has been serving Italian fare since the 80s
Broder’s Pasta Bar / Instagram

Broder’s Pasta Bar offers a long list of take-out and take-and-bake options. Namely, their hot crab lasagna with five kinds of cheese, roasted red pepper, chives, and paprika smothered with a spicy pomodoro and béchamel can be purchased as a single, two-pack, or pan that serves four to six. For mixing and matching, fresh pasta or imported dried pasta from Italy and sauces, antipasto, extras like a bread basket, and marinated olives, dessert, and wines round out anything a family could need for a night in. The online Broder’s Market provides fresh cheeses, 00 and semolina flour, and cans of San Marzano tomatoes if you’d like to try your hand at rolling out fresh dough yourself and support local business in the same stroke. Containers of their sugo betti, bolognese, and alfredo sauces can now be purchased at the Wedge and Linden Hills Co-op.

Classically Cozy: La Grolla

The brick exterior with tall windows overlooking Selby Avenue
Intimate dining and an impressive patio on Cathedral Hill all stocked with pasta
La Grolla/Facebook

When you crave something comforting and customizable, La Grolla in St. Paul has a shape and sauce for everyone. Easily recognizable favorites like fettuccine alfredo and penne alla vodka are made with a choice of protein or vegetables and gluten-free pasta to accommodate guests’ allergies. With a large emphasis on dishes from the land and sea, the ravioli di granchio stuffed with stone crab and shrimp in a creamy lobster sauce and tagliata di manzo con rucola with a 14oz ribeye, arugula, gorgonzola, and truffle oil paired with a glass of wine and tiramisu would be perfect for any special occasion.

For Tonight and Tomorrow: Cossetta’s

Lines of black takeout containers full of Cosseta’s penne in red sauce with a heft scoop of parmesan crumbles on top
Classic St. Paul comfort at an affordable price
Cossetta’s Italian Market & Pizzeria | Facebook

The all-encompassing stand-by, Cossetta’s, has everything a family could ever want or need. The move, in my opinion, would be to do the weekly grocery shopping of specialty meats, sauces, dry goods, noodles, and whatever else catches your eye and then order something for that evening from their takeaway and delivery menu. Stock your fridge and then plop yourself down on the couch and eat some mostacolli con ricotta.

Date Night: Hyacinth

A close up on a small bowl of round, short tubes of pasta in a dark, rustic tomato sauce, and covered with crumbles of parmesan
All the charm of a little Brooklyn trattoria on Grand Avenue
Hyacinth | Instagram

Something about Hyacinth’s Mediterranean and Southern Italy’s blend of flavors and focus on seasonal produce oozes romance. As the sun starts to shine a little brighter and warmer in Minnesota, their menu will (and has) begin to reflect that. Their natural wine list is perfect to pair with their gorgeous homemade noodles and mains for a date to remember.

A bowl of fettuchini noodles covered in an earthy sauce and piled with shredded crab meat
Fresh noodles tossed in uni and topped with crab
Joy Summers

With a Japanese Twist: Sanjusan

If you love noodles in all forms and all the time, newcomer Sanjusan is where you should have dinner tomorrow. Their innovative menu highlights seafood and spices beloved in Japanese cuisine. Try something new from their pistachio pesto cavatappi that uses saki in place of white wine in the sauce or a shrimp ravioli with XO butter, chives, and parmesan. Given how incredible their opening menu is, this place is sure to become an instant classic.

Cossetta

211 7th Street West, , MN 55102 (651) 222-3476 Visit Website

FOOD BUILDING

1401 Marshall Street Northeast, , MN 55413 (612) 545-5555 Visit Website

Sanjusan

33 North 1st Avenue, , MN 55401 (612) 354-7763 Visit Website

Broders' Cucina Italiana

2308 West 50th Street, , MN 55410 (612) 925-3113 Visit Website