23 Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes That Your Family Will Love

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23 Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes That Your Family Will Love


Sometimes, you just want the simple joys in life like a plate of perfect pasta, with those cherished carbs that just make us feel happier. Try out some new options you’re sure to love like Creamy Pea Pasta, where the sweetness of peas harmonizes with a velvety sauce, or the heartiness of Meatball & Pasta Bake, uniting savory meatballs and pasta in a hearty casserole.

Pasta makes for the perfect weeknight dinner especially in winter. They’re quick and easy to make, and there are so many different flavor options that your family is sure to love. Whether it’s the allure of Grown Up Mac and Cheese or the memory of enjoying Chicken and Dumplings as a kid, enjoy a quick and satisfying dinner without the fuss.

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Set it and forget it with this slow cooker Olive Garden-inspired chicken pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, the slow cooker does the work, infusing the pasta and chicken with savory flavors. It’s a convenient option that delivers a taste of Italian comfort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo

Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this orzo pasta and chicken combo. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, it’s a convenient weeknight option that effortlessly combines juicy chicken, orzo, and a medley of herbs for a delightful meal.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo

Image shows an overhead shot of Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells with a small plate holding one and the rest of the pan next to it.
Cheesy Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Indulge in the cheesy goodness of stuffed shells filled with a delectable mixture of ricotta and spinach. This weeknight pasta dish offers a comforting blend of pasta and creamy cheese, making it a family-friendly choice for a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Potato Gnocchi

Dive into a bowl of pillowy potato gnocchi, a delightful weeknight pasta option. These soft and fluffy potato dumplings are a comforting choice, especially when paired with your favorite sauce. Quick to prepare, they bring a taste of Italy to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi

Image shows Chicken tortellini soup in a ceramic enameled pot with a wooden spoon stirring it.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Warm up your weeknight with a hearty bowl of chicken tortellini soup. Brimming with tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and flavorful broth, this comforting soup is the perfect solution for a quick and nourishing dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Chicken and Dumplings

Enjoy the soul-warming goodness of chicken and dumplings in a quick weeknight version. This comforting dish combines tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a savory broth for a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug on a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Image shows Spaghetti and meatballs with a fork twirling pasta in a white bowl.
Meatballs and Sauce. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Meatballs and Sauce

Savor the hearty goodness of classic meatballs bathed in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting dish is a go-to weeknight favorite, delivering a perfect blend of savory meat and tangy tomato flavors.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Embrace the nostalgia of mac and cheese with a grown-up twist in this weeknight favorite. Velvety cheese coats each pasta shell, creating a decadent and satisfying dish that’s perfect for those evenings when you crave a comforting classic.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Image shows Creamy Pea Pasta in an enameled cast iron pot.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Creamy Pea Pasta

Elevate your weeknight pasta game with this creamy pea pasta. The velvety texture of the sauce combined with the sweetness of peas creates a delightful harmony. It’s a quick and easy option that never fails to bring smiles to the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta

Spinach Orzo Salad

Enjoy a refreshing weeknight pasta salad packed with vibrant spinach and perfectly cooked orzo. This light and zesty dish bring together the goodness of fresh veggies and tender orzo, making it an ideal choice for a quick and wholesome dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad

Image shows a plate with cacio e pepe in a neat pile topped with shaved parmesan cheese.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Cacio e Pepe

Transport your taste buds to Rome with the simplicity of cacio e pepe. This weeknight pasta dish showcases the beauty of minimalism, featuring pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and a generous sprinkle of black pepper. It’s a timeless classic that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Simplify the lasagna experience with these roll-ups filled with all the classic flavors. This weeknight pasta recipe takes the essence of lasagna and makes it accessible for busy evenings, ensuring you can enjoy the comforting layers without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Image shows a closeup view of tuna and tomato pasta in a white patterned bowl.
Tuna and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Dive into a quick and flavorful weeknight pasta featuring tender tuna and vibrant tomatoes. This simple yet satisfying dish is a lifesaver for busy evenings, providing a delightful medley of textures and tastes in every forkful.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Delight your taste buds with the hearty combination of sausage and broccoli rabe in this weeknight pasta dish. The savory sausage pairs beautifully with the slightly bitter notes of broccoli rabe, creating a satisfying and quick dinner option that’s a breeze to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

pasta aglio olio e peperoncino is mixed with a black pasta fork.
Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Embark on a simple culinary journey with pasta aglio olio e peperoncino, a weeknight pasta recipe that celebrates the beauty of garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Quick to prepare, it’s a flavorful choice for when you desire a fuss-free yet delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Meatball & Pasta Bake

Experience the joy of baked perfection with this meatball and pasta bake. Juicy meatballs nestled among pasta and savory sauce create a delightful combination that’s oven-baked to achieve a comforting, cheesy finish. It’s a hearty weeknight option that’s easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Meatball & Pasta Bake

a dish of penne al baffo topped with parsley.
Penne al Baffo. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Penne al Baffo

Take a flavorful trip to Italy with penne al baffo, a weeknight pasta recipe that boasts the perfect balance of garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan. Quick to prepare, it’s a go-to choice when you crave a simple yet incredibly tasty pasta dish.
Get the Recipe: Penne al Baffo

Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Elevate your weeknight with the exquisite taste of bucatini paired with succulent garlic shrimp. This pasta dish combines the richness of garlic-infused olive oil with plump shrimp, creating a quick and impressive meal that’s perfect for those nights when you crave something special.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Ricotta and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl.
Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Experience the creamy goodness of pasta with ricotta and tomatoes, a weeknight favorite that strikes the perfect balance between richness and freshness. Quick to prepare, it’s a comforting choice for pasta lovers, offering a delightful combination of creamy ricotta and juicy tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Simplify your weeknight dinner with a ground beef pasta skillet that combines savory ground beef, pasta, and a flavorful sauce. Quick to make and easy to clean up, it’s a go-to choice for those evenings when you need a speedy and satisfying meal on the table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, feta and kalamata olives.
Greek Spaghetti. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Greek Spaghetti

Infuse your weeknight with the flavors of Greece with this Greek spaghetti dish. Featuring olives, feta, and a medley of herbs, it’s a quick pasta option that brings the essence of the Mediterranean to your table, delivering a delightful burst of flavors in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Spice up your weeknight with a buffalo chicken pasta bake that brings together the bold flavors of buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and cheesy goodness. This baked pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser, offering a perfect balance of heat and comfort in every delicious bite.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Penne pasta with burst cherry tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and parsley on white plate next to a pan filled with pasta.
Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes

Enjoy a taste of the sea with penne featuring succulent salmon and burst cherry tomatoes. This weeknight pasta dish is a quick and delightful option, combining the richness of salmon with the freshness of cherry tomatoes for a harmonious flavor profile that’s sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes

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