Pasta Perfection: A Guide to Our Signature Pasta Dishes

Pasta is the heart of Italian cuisine, and at East Side Mario's, we take our pasta very seriously. From classic spaghetti and meatballs to creative seafood linguine, our menu offers something for every pasta lover. All our pasta is cooked to perfect al dente texture and paired with sauces made from scratch daily.

The Art of Perfect Pasta

Before diving into our signature dishes, let's talk about what makes great pasta. Three elements are essential: quality ingredients, proper cooking technique, and well-balanced sauces.

At East Side Mario's, we use premium durum wheat semolina pasta that holds its shape and texture beautifully. We cook it in generously salted water until it's precisely al dente – tender but with a slight resistance when bitten. This texture allows the pasta to continue absorbing the sauce's flavors without becoming mushy.

Classic Favorites

Some pasta dishes have stood the test of time for good reason. Here are some of our most beloved classics:

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Our signature dish features handcrafted meatballs made from a blend of beef, pork, and veal, seasoned with herbs and spices according to a traditional family recipe. The meatballs are slow-simmered in our house-made tomato sauce, which gets its rich depth from San Marzano tomatoes and hours of careful cooking. Served over perfectly cooked spaghetti and finished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, this dish represents Italian-American comfort food at its finest.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Our luxurious Alfredo sauce is made the traditional way – with butter, fresh cream, and aged Parmesan cheese. The key to our version is the balance of richness and lightness, achieved through careful temperature control and the addition of a touch of pasta cooking water, which helps create a silky emulsion. Tossed with fettuccine and finished with cracked black pepper, this dish is simple yet indulgent.

Lasagna

Our lasagna features layers of fresh pasta sheets, seasoned ground beef and Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, our signature tomato sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Each lasagna is assembled by hand and baked until bubbly and golden. The result is a hearty, comforting dish with the perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

Seafood Pasta Specialties

Italian coastal regions have a rich tradition of pairing pasta with seafood. Our seafood pasta dishes honor this heritage while incorporating Canadian seafood when possible.

Linguine with Clams

This coastal Italian classic features linguine tossed with fresh clams, white wine, garlic, chili flakes, and Italian parsley. The sauce is light yet flavorful, allowing the natural sweetness of the clams to shine through. The starch from the pasta helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to each strand of linguine.

Seafood Linguine

Our seafood linguine combines shrimp, scallops, mussels, and calamari in a sauce that can be prepared either with our tomato sauce or a white wine and garlic sauce. The seafood is cooked just until tender to preserve its delicate texture and flavor. Finished with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, this dish brings the taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

Vegetarian Pasta Options

Plant-based dining doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Our vegetarian pasta dishes are designed to satisfy all palates.

Penne Primavera

This colorful dish celebrates fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, sautéed with garlic and tossed with penne pasta. Available with either a light olive oil and white wine sauce or our house-made tomato sauce, this pasta is both healthy and satisfying.

Mushroom Ravioli

Our mushroom ravioli features pasta pillows filled with a blend of portobello, cremini, and shiitake mushrooms, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses. Served with your choice of a brown butter and sage sauce or a light cream sauce, this dish offers deep, earthy flavors that even meat-lovers appreciate.

Creative Fusion Pasta

As a Canadian-Italian restaurant, we're not afraid to blend traditions and create unique pasta dishes that reflect our culinary identity.

Butter Chicken Penne

This fusion creation combines the beloved Indian butter chicken with Italian pasta. Our aromatic butter chicken sauce is made with tomatoes, cream, and authentic Indian spices, then tossed with penne pasta for a unique cross-cultural experience. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a side of naan bread, this dish represents the multicultural spirit of Canada.

Smoked Salmon Linguine

Celebrating Canadian ingredients, this pasta features locally-sourced smoked salmon in a light cream sauce with capers, dill, and a touch of lemon. The smoky flavor of the salmon pairs beautifully with the delicate sauce and al dente linguine.

Gluten-Sensitive Options

We believe everyone should be able to enjoy great pasta, which is why we offer gluten-free pasta as a substitute in any of our pasta dishes. Our gluten-free pasta is made from a blend of rice and corn flours, providing a texture that comes surprisingly close to traditional pasta.

While we take precautions to avoid cross-contamination, our kitchen does handle gluten-containing ingredients, so these options are suitable for those with gluten sensitivity rather than severe celiac disease.

The Perfect Pairing

Every great pasta dish deserves the right accompaniment. Here are some suggestions for enhancing your pasta experience:

• Wine: Our wine list includes Italian classics that pair beautifully with pasta. Try a Chianti with tomato-based sauces or a Pinot Grigio with seafood pasta.
• Bread: Our freshly baked garlic homeloaf is perfect for soaking up any remaining sauce.
• Salad: Balance your meal with our garden or Caesar salad, dressed with house-made dressings.