This family-owned Italian restaurant has been serving Rio Rancho for over 25 years with recipes handed down from Joe’s Sicilian grandmother’s kitchen.
Joe’s Pasta House specializes in traditional Italian-American cuisine with hand-cut natural steaks, fresh seafood flown in regularly, and signature dishes featuring a New Mexican twist. 🍝
Owners Joe and Kassie Guzzardi bring 60+ years of combined food and beverage experience to create an atmosphere as laid-back as a Sunday morning on the Mediterranean, making every meal feel like dining at Nonna’s table.
How Joe’s Pasta House won Rio Rancho’s hearts
The restaurant’s enduring success stems from their unwavering commitment to family recipes that have been passed down through generations since Joe’s father’s bakery in NYC.
Their award-winning Green Chile Chicken Alfredo represents the perfect marriage of traditional Italian technique and New Mexican flavor—a succulent balance customers call exceptional. 🌶️
The homemade approach to everything sets this restaurant apart, with slow-cooked marinara sauces that taste authentic and remind diners of real Italian cooking.
The cozy family-owned atmosphere filled with locals and regulars creates a welcoming environment where servers feel like old friends.
Their accommodating nature for special occasions makes this the go-to spot for romantic dinners, family outings, and celebrations of all types.
Live entertainment like saxophone players on special evenings adds romantic ambience, perfect for Valentine’s Day and anniversaries. 🎷
Food Highlights
Lasagna: Homemade beef and sausage lasagna topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. 🧀
Chicken Parmigiana: This classic Italian-American dish arrives piping hot with breaded chicken breast topped with marinara and melted cheese.
Pasta New Mexico: A must-try fusion creation combining traditional Italian pasta with green chile and sausage.
Mediterranean Calamari: These fried calamari are topped with warm feta cheese, capers, artichoke hearts, red onions, and kalamata olives in lemon-butter sauce. 🦑
Eggplant Parmigiana: A popular vegetarian option featuring breaded eggplant layered with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
Southwestern Shrimp Fettuccine: This spicy specialty features jumbo shrimp with green chile, crushed red peppers, and parmigiano cream sauce tossed with fettuccine. 🦐
Pinon Pesto Salmon: Grilled fresh salmon topped with piñon (pine nut) pesto sauce served with angel hair pasta—a New Mexican twist on Italian seafood. 🐟
Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp: Lobster and ricotta-filled ravioli topped with sautéed shrimp in brandy cream sauce.
Atmosphere
The cozy family-owned environment filled with lots of locals and regulars creates a welcoming vibe that says volumes about quality and consistency.
Comfortable seating allows relaxed conversations with friends, associates, family, or that special someone without noise overwhelming the experience. 🍷
The restaurant invites guests to come as they are—casual attire is perfectly acceptable for lunch, romantic dinners, or family celebrations.
Bottom Line
Family recipes from Joe’s Sicilian grandmother passed down through generations; award-winning Green Chile Chicken Ravioli blending two cuisines; generous portions ensuring leftovers; hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood alongside pasta; 25+ years serving Rio Rancho with personal service. 💯
Address:
3201 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
📞 (505) 892-5252
🕔 Tue-Thu 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, Fri 4:00 PM–9:00 PM, Sat 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM–8:00 PM (Closed Monday)