19 Easy Pasta Recipes

editorial team

Pasta is one of the most popular comfort foods in our home. This is one of my go-to recipes for busy weeknights. Since it’s so popular I always I have to come up with a variety of pasta recipes, otherwise it gets boring. We have you covered with the best pasta recipes.

Easy Pasta Recipes

1. Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

This is one of the easiest pasta recipes. It is comfort food at its best and is one of the best weeknight dinner recipes.

It requires 20 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cook time. Preheat the oven to 400°F and cook for 8-9 minutes.

The ingredients include shrimp, spaghetti, smoked paprika, olive oil, Thai sweet chili sauce, and garlic.

2. Creamy Lemon Pasta

This is one of my favorite pasta recipes. For the recipe, the tools required are a microplane zester, a cast iron skillet, and a Zyliss grater. You can make it with pantry staples.

It requires 5 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include pasta, garlic, flour, parmesan cheese, pepper and salt. Though I have used rigatoni pasta for this dish, you can use penne pasta or any other pasta.

If you want to make it a protein-rich recipe, then you are most welcome to add chicken or shrimp.

You can serve it as a side dish with Parmesan crusted chicken and also as the main meal with sides like breadsticks or cheese garlic bread.

Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge, and it will be good for up to 4 days. It doesn’t freeze well.

3. One Pot Chili Mac And Cheese

I am a big fan of one-pot meals as the recipe is easy to make, and also one-pot means less cleanup.

I was introduced to this dish at my friend’s house and I loved it. This is one of the most delicious comfort foods. The recipe needs 12 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time. You need a Dutch oven.

The ingredients include elbow macaroni, ground beef, olive oil, parsley, ground black pepper, kidney beans, cumin and chili powder.

4. Garlic Butter Pasta

It is a rich and creamy comfort food. I came to know about this recipe at my friend’s get-together party.

It is one of the easiest pasta recipes. The recipe requires 12 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include smoked paprika, pepper, cornstarch, pasta, plant-based milk, and hot sauce.

You can use soy milk or almond milk. Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 3 days.

5. Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo

The recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It is a rich and creamy dinner recipe. My entire family loves this recipe.

Whenever I host a party, my friends and relatives always request this recipe to include in the menu. It requires 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include unsalted butter, Parmesan cheese, rotini pasta, heavy cream and chicken breasts.

6. Pasta Primavera

It is one of the most colorful pasta recipes and tastes awesome. The best thing is, it’s versatile. The dish originated in New York. You can enjoy it all year long.

This hearty dish is a great way to use all the veggies from the fridge. You can use the pasta of your choice, farfalle, ziti, penne and others.

You can make it a protein-rich recipe by adding protein like shrimp or chicken. It needs 20 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include red onion, grape tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini and penne pasta.

7. Spinach And Artichoke Dip Pasta

This is one of the top-rated pasta recipes. It is filling and a satisfying dinner recipe. The best thing is, it’s easy to make and tastes wonderful.

You need a 9×13 baking dish. It requires 15 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cook time.

The ingredients include penne pasta, chicken broth, spinach, parmesan cheese, artichoke hearts, and milk. Since everyone in my family loves this dish, I have included it in our dinner rotation menu.

8. Million Dollar Spaghetti

It is one of the highly rated pasta recipes on the internet. It is comforting and easy to make, perfect for weeknights.

The tools required are a microplane, an 8×8 baking dish and kitchen tongs. It requires 20 minutes of prep time and 50 minutes of cooking time. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

The ingredients include spaghetti, marinara sauce, Italian sausage, cream cheese and garlic powder. It is best served with garlic bread.

Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and it will be good for up to 2 days. It doesn’t freeze well.

9. Creamy Tomato Pasta

It is one of the most comforting recipes. Everyone in my family is a big fan of this recipe so I have included it in our rotation menu.

You can make it with pantry staples. The best thing is that it’s versatile. The recipe requires 12 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include spaghetti, tomatoes, chicken stock, basil, and double cream. You can replace spaghetti with penne pasta.

If you want to make it protein-rich then add chicken or tofu. Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 2-3 days.

10. Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This is a quick and easy pasta dish, and you can serve it in just half an hour. It is a restaurant-quality dish, and the best thing is that it’s budget-friendly.

You need a skillet. It requires 12 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include garlic powder, black pepper, thyme, pasta, chicken breast, and shallots. You can replace chicken breast with chicken thigh or chicken tender.

It is best served with a simple green salad. Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and it will be good for 2-3 days.

11. Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta

Even if you are not a big fan of pesto, you are going to love this recipe. The tools required are a cutting board, a pot, knife, and a skillet.

It is a quick recipe and requires only 5 minutes of prep time. I love to make it on busy weeknights.

The ingredients include pesto sauce, penne pasta, onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, heavy cream, and all-purpose flour.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 3 days. It freezes well for 2 months.

12. Tomato Basil Pasta

It is one of the best pasta recipes and is highly searched online. The tools required are a saute pan, measuring cup and spoons, silicone spatula, box grater, and spice rack.

It requires 20 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include pasta, hot sauce, cream cheese, dry white wine, tomatoes, Dijon mustard, ground sausage, and basil.

You can use white wine or chicken broth. If you prefer white wine then go for Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 3 days. It freezes well for 3 months.

13. Garlic Parmesan Macaroni And Cheese

It’s a classic pasta recipe. You need a saucepan. I was served the dish at my friend’s house and I was blown away. I had to ask for the recipe, and she happily obliged.

Since then I have made this umpteen times and I get a lot of praise. Every time I get praise I call and thank her.

The recipe requires 12 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time. The ingredients include pasta, heavy cream, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese and all-purpose flour.

14. French Onion Pasta

It is one of my favorite pasta recipes and you can make it with pantry staples. It is comfort food at its best. You need a Dutch oven a mandoline slicer and a garlic press.

Since it’s a one pot dish I like it even more as it means cleanup is a breeze. The recipe requires 20 minutes of prep time and an hour of cooking time.

The ingredients include unsalted butter, onions, short-cut pasta, evaporated milk and beef bouillon. It is best served with salad or bread.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 4-5 days.

15. Stuffed Shells

It is one of the most loved pasta recipes online. The best thing is that you can make it even ahead of time.

You need a 9×13 casserole dish, a skillet and a pasta strainer. It requires 25 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking time. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

The ingredients include jumbo pasta shells, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, spinach, basil and seasonings.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 2-3 days. It freezes well for 3 months.

16. Bow Tie Pasta Salad

I don’t wait for summer to make it; in fact, I make it all year long. You can serve it for lunch or for dinner.

You need a large pot and that’s it. I love a recipe even more when it’s one pan or one-pot recipe as it means less cleanup. It requires 10 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include bow tie pasta, spinach, basil, cherry tomatoes and lemon. You can serve it with protein or veggie dishes.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will be good for up to 5 days.

17. Garlic Parmesan Pasta

It is a family-friendly pasta recipe and is best served with grilled chicken or roasted broccoli.

It can be served with shrimp or garlic bread too. The recipe requires 12 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include angel hair pasta, garlic, Parmesan cheese, butter, milk, and chicken broth. You can replace milk with half & half but I prefer milk.

Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for 2-3 days. It freezes well for 3 months.

18. Creamy Pasta Salad

It is perfect for picnics and potlucks. You can make it even ahead of time. The tools required are a hand whisk and a mixing bowl.

I like it even more as it is highly versatile. It requires 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include pasta noodles, frozen peas, onion powder, olive oil, mayonnaise and bacon. Pair it with chicken or any other protein recipe.

19. Penne Alla Vodka

It is one of the quickest and easiest pasta recipes and perfect for weeknight dinners. Though it looks fancy, it’s easy and budget-friendly too.

The tools required are a garlic press, a Microplane zester, and a skillet. It is best served with garlic bread or a baguette.

This dish is quite popular in Italy. It requires 10 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time.

The ingredients include penne pasta, tomato paste, vodka, onion, and butter. Tomato paste is the star of this recipe. You can make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes.