50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (2024)

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (1)

Everyone has a go-to pasta recipe that they know like the back of their hand — whether its a super simple spaghetti, baked ziti, a take on alfredo, or even a family-honored lasagna. And yet there are thousands of ways to dress up your favorite pasta that you are missing out on. Contrary to popular belief, not every life-changing pasta sauce requires you to frantically hover the stovetop; some of the best pasta dishes are straightforward and can be made in under 30 minutes. The following pasta recipes are easy dishes that can help you breeze through dinner and then some, as these ideas make for delicious leftovers. Most importantly, though, they'll please the entire family and help you switch things up every once in a while.

These pasta dishes make use of versatile noodles you can boil to perfection in just under 10 minutes — from penne to linguini, farfalle "bowties" to more complex ravioli, there's plenty of pasta to go around. Most can be incorporated into rich, velvety sauces that includes a medley of seasoned poultry or beef and tender vegetables. Other pasta varieties are best left lighter with a healthier take of sauteéd veggies and creamy pan sauces; some can even be incorporated into soups, too.

And if you're looking for a new take on your own favorite pasta dish, it's here. We've tweaked and played with classics — including lasagna, bolognese, macaroni and cheese, and signature sauces from alfredo to alla vodka — to make them even simpler to master.

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1

Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (2)

Get double the citrus flavor with fresh lemon mixed into the pasta dough and the sauce.

Get the recipe for Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli »

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2

Penne With Spicy Anchovy Marinara

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (3)

Skip the jarred sauce—ours is made with anchovies, garlic, chile, oregano, capers and fennel for a flavor that goes way beyond store-bought.

Get the recipe for Penne With Spicy Anchovy Marinara »

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3

Beet Fettuccine With Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (4)

Give your pasta a pretty hue with beet juice added right into the dough.

Get the recipe for Beet Fettuccine With Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese »

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4

Tomato Tagliatelle With Chorizo and Olives

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (5)

Spicy, salty and a little sweet from the tomatoes, this pretty plate's got it all.

Get the recipe for Tomato Tagliatelle With Chorizo and Olives »

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5

Spinach Macaroni With Beans and Greens

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (6)

Made with sweet Italian sausage, creamy white beans and fresh kale, this is a filling, all-in-one feast.

Get the recipe for Spinach Macaroni With Beans and Greens »

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6

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (7)

Save dishwasher space by boiling peas in the same pot as your pasta — then, make your sauce in the same pan that you've roasted your chicken in. All in all, dinner's on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta »

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7

Linguine Carbonara

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (8)

A perfect option for any bacon lover, this classic Italian dish actually comes together away from the stovetop. You'll whisk egg yolks and fresh parm together and slowly add pasta water until you've created a luxurious sauce (in seconds!).

Get the recipe for Linguine Carbonara »

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8

Creamy Lemon Pasta With Chicken and Peas

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (9)

Introduce the kids to a more refined pasta shape with gemelli, which is coated in creamy pan sauce made with lemon zest. Little ones will love chasing peas around their plate as they spear this spiral-shaped pasta.

Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Pasta With Chicken and Peas »

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9

Pasta With Red Pepper Alfredo

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (10)

We gave this creamy classic dish an instant health upgrade by adding roasted veggies into the equation. Red bell peppers and fresh garlic add a much-needed boost of fiber — plus a beautiful hue!

Get the recipe for Pasta With Red Pepper Alfredo »

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10

Easy Lasagna With Meat Sauce

You can save loads of time by simply baking dry lasagna noodles in this easy ground pork meat sauce. Make this casserole ahead of time or on any weeknight — it's ready in just one hour.

Get the recipe for Easy Lasagna With Meat Sauce »

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11

Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (13)

Look — it's summer in a bowl. Squash, mint, and lemon juice come together to create a light pasta dinner that's perfect for dining al fresco.

Get the recipe for Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta »

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12

Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon and Scallions

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (15)

Trying to use up leftover corn? This one-pot pasta dinner calls on the flavors of bacon, scallions, basil, and fresh corn to create a summer pasta medley in just 30 minutes.

Get the recipe for Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon and Scallions »

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13

Creamy Broccolini Pasta With Chile Breadcrumbs

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (16)

Charred broccolini is cut by the tartness of lemon juice and sour cream in a five-ingredient pan sauce.

Get the recipe for Creamy Broccolini Pasta With Chile Breadcrumbs »

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14

Chilled Tortellini Romesco

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (17)

Another elevated take on pasta salad, almonds and scallions add a wonderful crunch to the smooth, creamy profile of the tortellini.

Get the recipe for Chilled Tortellini Romesco »

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15

Pesto Zucchini Orzo

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (18)

You'll love this no-fuss take on a pasta salad — let summer squash marinate in a mix of pesto, olive oil, and white wine vinegar. Then, add the rest of your ingredients into the mix.

Get the recipe for Pesto Zucchini Orzo »

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16

Easy Vegetarian Lasagna With Spinach and Broccoli

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (19)

Beef who? This satisfying triple-layer lasagna doubles down on plenty of spinach, broccoli, fresh basil, and three different cheese varieties. Sauté peppers and mushrooms, and then stir into your tomato sauce for an extra boost of nutrients.

Get the recipe for Easy Vegetarian Lasagna With Spinach and Broccoli »

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17

Baked Pesto Shells & Greens

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (21)

This cheesy, baked pasta packs a hefty dose of veggies in each serving. We won't tell the kids if you won't.

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18

Veggie Skillet Lasagna

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (23)

There is absolutely no need to wait for the water to boil when you can just cook lasagna noodles in a super-flavorful sauce.

Get the recipe for Veggie Skillet Lasagna »

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19

Orecchiette with Morels and Peas

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (25)

Heading to the farmers' market this weekend? Make a list of the in-season produce in this recipe and create a beautiful lunch when you get home.

Get the recipe for Orecchiette with Morels and Peas »

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20

Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (27)

These taste even better reheated; our test kitchen staff says they can be refrigerated for 2 days after being served. They're just as delicious alongside a hearty salad as well.

Get the recipe for Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs »

50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinners (2024)

FAQs

How to cook pasta for a lot of people? ›

The common method would be to cook the pasta in advance, then shock it in cold water to stop the cooking before draining and refrigerating it. You would then heat it up in boiling water for about 20 seconds just to heat it through. You would just need a portable burner to keep a pot of water boiling for service.

How to make basic pasta good? ›

10 Tips to Do Pasta Night Right
  1. Use a big enough pot. ...
  2. Use plenty of water. ...
  3. Season the pasta water — ...
  4. Let the water come to a boil first. ...
  5. Stir right away — and every couple minutes. ...
  6. Don't rely solely on the cooking time on your pasta's package. ...
  7. Cook your pasta to just before al dente. ...
  8. Reserve the pasta water.

What to add to a pasta dinner? ›

19 Easy Side Dishes to Serve with Pasta
  1. 01 of 19. Cheesy Garlic Bread. The Spruce / Kristina Vanni. ...
  2. 02 of 19. Sautéed Zucchini. ...
  3. 03 of 19. Brussels Sprouts Dill Salad. ...
  4. 04 of 19. Pull-Apart Garlic Bread. ...
  5. 05 of 19. Grilled Caesar Salad. ...
  6. 06 of 19. Roasted Whole Artichokes. ...
  7. 07 of 19. Crusty No-Knead Bread. ...
  8. 08 of 19. Baked Eggplant.

How to make simple pasta tastier? ›

Here are five genius techniques for making creamy, delicious pasta—without loading up on heavy ingredients.
  1. Don't cook the pasta in advance. ...
  2. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. ...
  3. Save the pasta cooking water. ...
  4. Add the cheese at the end. ...
  5. Skip the dairy altogether.
Nov 16, 2017

How much pasta do I need for 50 guests? ›

If it's dry pasta, 80 to 100 grams of pasta per adult person is enough, or 50 to 70 grams if it's for a child, this measure works for both macaroni and spaghetti. For fresh stuffed pasta, about 150 grams would be good for an adult, and 80 grams for children.

How do you cook pasta for a crowd and keep it warm? ›

Chafing Dishes:Place the cooked pasta in chafing dishes with a water pan beneath to provide gentle, consistent heat. Cover the dishes to retain warmth. Hot Trays or Warming Drawers:Utilize electric hot trays or warming drawers designed for keeping food warm. Ensure they are set to an appropriate temperature.

How to make pasta for idiots? ›

Pasta Cooking for Dummies
  1. #1 Salted water. 10:100:1000. ...
  2. #2 Boiling water. Add the pasta to the water once it's boiling, not before. ...
  3. #3 No oil, never rinse. Please, just no. ...
  4. #4 Test for doneness. The sauce shall always wait for the pasta, never the other way round. ...
  5. #5 Reserve cooking water.
Sep 8, 2020

What can I add to pasta to make it better? ›

Fresh or dried herbs will also add flavor to pasta dishes.

"I use a lot of parsley, either fresh or even dried," Montillo said. "Oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, black pepper all work well in a variety of sauces."

What are the 4 main pasta dishes? ›

There are four classic Roman pasta dishes: cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and alla gricia. Each one is a variation on the other — alla gricia is cacio e pepe plus guanciale, carbonara is gricia plus egg, and so on. These four dishes are famous in all of Italian cooking, not just in Rome.

What meat to eat with pasta? ›

The Best Proteins That Will Compliment Your Pasta
  • Chicken. When you think of protein in your pasta, you probably think of chicken. ...
  • Steak. If you are looking to treat yourself, add some steak to your pasta. ...
  • Shrimp. ...
  • Salmon. ...
  • Pasta With Chicken, Steak, Salmon and More at Puerto La Boca.
Jul 1, 2021

What can I put on pasta without sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What can I add to plain pasta? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

What gives pasta more flavor? ›

This is the time to add a final hit of black pepper, grated cheese and a splash of acidity – red or white wine vinegar or lemon juice to brighten up the flavour. I often stir some chopped basil, parsley, rocket (arugula) or watercress through once the pan is off the heat. The heat of the pasta will wilt it.

How to cook large batch of pasta? ›

Use the Same Amount of Water

Cook 2 pounds of pasta in a 6-quart Dutch oven in the same 4 quarts of boiling water and 1 tablespoon of salt you would use for 1 pound of pasta. (It's the ratio of salt to water, not salt to pasta, that's key for seasoning.)

How many pounds of pasta do I need to feed 25 people? ›

1 pound feeds 4 people. 6 pound feeds 24 people and a quarter of a pound will feed the 25th person. Six and a quarter pounds of pasta is needed.

How much pasta do I cook for 20 people? ›

If you're having pasta as your main meal, we'd suggest the following quantities: 100g of dried pasta per person. 120g of fresh pasta per person. 130g of gnocchi per person.

How much pasta do I need for 25 adults? ›

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow.

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