Carb-haters read no further, because this is a gluten and Keto-unfriendly list of pasta, pasta, pasta.
Like most other delicious things, pasta has gotten a bad rap after spending decades as the base of the USDA’s food pyramid, along with bread, cereal and rice. Remember those halcyon days when we didn’t know better? Moderation means that if you’re going to eat pasta, you might as well make it worth every calorie.
Read on below for some top Sonoma County pastas for those cheat days. Click through the above gallery for a sneak peek.
Lasagna Bolognese – Portico, Sebastopol: Crepe-thin layers of pasta with ragu, béchamel sauce and Parmesan cheese. Also available in a vegetarian version. 100 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-888-9136, porticosocialfood.com
Ragu Bolognese with Tagliatelle – Portico, Sebastopol: The praises have been sung. Thick strands of housemade pasta hold onto the chunks of carrots and green pepper, with ground beef and pork taking center stage. Portions are reasonable — neither too much nor too little. 100 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-888-9136, porticosocialfood.com
Pappardelle Pasta with Saffron Cream – Portico, Sebastopol: Extra-wide strips of fresh pasta bathed in golden saffron cream are precisely as good as they sound. 100 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-888-9136, porticosocialfood.com
Cacio e Pepe – Golden Bear Station, Kenwood: Cacio e pepe is a deceptively tricky dish to master and a bellwether dish for me. Chef Joshua Smookler gets it so right, elevating the pasta with seven different kinds of pepper, giving it a spicy punch that lingers on the tongue. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, goldenbearstation.com
Short Rib Agnolotti – Monti’s, Santa Rosa: The recently-updated menu now includes freshly-made pasta, including Lemon Tagliatelle with Dungeness crab and buckwheat pasta with mushroom ragout. We’re especially fond of the hearty short rib agnolotti with fresh horseradish. 714 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-568-4404, montismv.com
Seasonal Pasta – Diavola, Geyserville: We could rave about spaghettini with pork cheek ragu or linguini with manila clams and uni, but what’s so special about this far-flung trattoria is the always-changing seasonal menu. Just order whatever sounds good — you won’t be disappointed. Chef/owner Dino Bugica is the real deal, and his housemade pasta is consistently one of my favorites in Sonoma County. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com
Seasonal Pasta – Molti Amici, Healdsburg: Handmade pasta is their calling card, and seasonal changes bring an ever-evolving lineup of ingredients and pasta styles. Ravioli with black truffle and brown butter is a fall favorite, while summer brings bright tomato sauces and pesto. 330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3169, moltiamici.com
Lasagna – L’oro Di Napoli, Santa Rosa: Pizza is their bread and butter, but a mile-high slice of lasagna with Bechemel is a must-try. 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6394, lorodinapolisantarosa.com
Steamed Clams with Linguine – Campanella, Sebastopol: You’re Frank Sinatra sitting with “The Godfather” and “Jersey Shore” casts. It doesn’t get more Italian American than this. 7365 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-910-3030, campanellasoco.com
Wild Boar Gnocchi – Risibisi, Petaluma: Housemade gnocchi with braised wild boar is a specialty of this Petaluma restaurant. Risotto is also a favorite. 154 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-766-7600, risibisirestaurant.com
Ravioli di Anatra – Cucina Paradiso, Petaluma: Every pasta is a winner at this longtime Petaluma Italian restaurant, but this housemade ravioli is filled with roast duck in sundried tomato, pine nut and basil sauce. 114 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-782-1130, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com
Ricotta Gnudi – Grata, Windsor: Lighter and fluffier than gnocchi, these little clouds of ricotta come with brown butter, butternut squash and greens. Love. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com
Nonni’s Ravioli – Negri’s Italian Dinners, Occidental: House-made ravioli with beef, pork, Swiss chard and herbs has been a family recipe for generations. Simple, but excellent. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-0301, negrisrestaurant.com
Rigatoni, Ca’Bianca, Santa Rosa: Simple, but delicious, Ca’Bianca’s rigatoni is served with Italian sausage, peas, mushrooms, tomato and cream sauce. 835 Second St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-5800, cabianca.com
Lasagna – Catelli’s, Geyserville: No question, hands down the thinnest layers of pasta with Richard’s meat sauce and plenty of cheese. A crispy top makes this such a decadent treat. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com
Seasonal Pasta – Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen: What’s on the menu changes frequently depending on season, but it’s always excellent. Spring brings lamb confit with artichokes and favas or rigatoni “cashew e pepe” with trumpet mushrooms and snap peas. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com
Spaghetti alla Bolognese – Baci Cafe & Wine Bar, Healdsburg: A neighborhood favorite that locals swear by. Fresh pasta is made daily. 336 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-8111, bacicafeandwinebar.com
Spaghetti and Meatballs – Union Hotel, Occidental: Regulars’ favorite. What else is there to say? Mange! 3731 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-3555, unionhoteloccidental.com
Craft Mac and Cheese – Bird and Bottle, Santa Rosa: Yes, just yes. 1055 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-4000, birdandthebottle.com
Also great: Lobster mac and cheese at Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, starkrestaurants.com