17 Weeknight Pasta Fixes That Won’t Take All Night

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17 Weeknight Pasta Fixes That Won’t Take All Night

Ever felt like a kitchen ninja on a weeknight? You can be with these 17 quick pasta fixes that don’t hog your evening. Picture this: You’re twirling your fork into a bowl of yummy pasta faster than you can pick a Netflix show. It’s all about saving time without skimping on flavor, ensuring you have plenty of minutes left for everything else—or absolutely nothing at all!

Gnocchi in Lemon-Parmesan Sauce on a black plate.
Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup in 2 bowls with spoons.
Pasta e Fagioli Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pasta e Fagioli Soup is the underdog story of the soup world, a hearty blend of pasta and beans that’s been filling bellies and warming hearts for generations. It’s like that old sweater that feels like a warm hug every time you put it on—comforting, familiar, and just right. Perfect for those nights when you crave something a little rustic and a lot satisfying. It’s the cooking equivalent of coming home.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Blackstone Tortellini with Meatballs

A close-up of a dish featuring colorful tortellini mixed with meatballs, spinach, and chopped red bell peppers, topped with melted cheese, served in a white bowl.
Blackstone Tortellini with Meatballs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Meet Blackstone Tortellini with Meatballs, a dish that’s like the cool cousin of your traditional pasta dinner. It’s that perfect mix of juicy meatballs and cheese-filled tortellini, bathed in a sauce that’ll have you mopping up every last drop. When you’re craving something hearty yet sophisticated, this is your go-to. It’s like bringing the Italian diner home but without the cheesy background music.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Tortellini with Meatballs

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with rotisserie chicken pasta salad.
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When the rotisserie chicken meets pasta salad, it’s less of a meeting and more of a summer romance. Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad is the dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds at the potluck. It’s where convenience meets elegance, tossing tender chicken with the playful twirls of pasta. It’s the cooking equivalent of finding a twenty in your pocket—unexpectedly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked shotgun shells on a white plate.
Smoked Shotgun Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Shotgun Shells takes you on a wild ride from the comfort of your backyard smoker. These aren’t your average pasta shells; stuffed to the brim and smoked to perfection, they’re a flavor bomb that explodes with each bite. Perfect for when you want to impress your friends without looking like you tried too hard. It’s the cooking equivalent of hitting a bullseye, without the need for arrows.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells

Steak & Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with a pasta salad containing farfalle, steak slices, radishes, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, nuts, and crumbled blue cheese, garnished with parsley, on a wooden board next to a spoon.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Take a trip to flavor town without leaving your kitchen with Steak & Pasta Salad. This dish is where tender, juicy steak slices meet the twirl of pasta in a dance that’s both bold and refreshing. Perfect for when you feel fancy but also want to keep it real with some hearty greens and a tangy dressing. It’s like attending a high-class barbecue in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

A bowl of pasta with cherry tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and garlic.
Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce is here to remind you why simple is often best. Bright, juicy tomatoes meet their perfect match, twirling around your fork with the kind of ease and freshness that can only come from nature. It’s like taking a walk through a summer garden, without any of the work. This dish is proof that sometimes, the simplest things can be the most extraordinary.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

Salmon Pasta Salad

Salmon pasta salad in a black dish.
Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Swing into the lighter side of life with Salmon Pasta Salad, where the pasta’s cheerful twirls meet the rich, flaky goodness of salmon. It’s the dish that says “summer” no matter what the calendar shows, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a lazy Sunday lunch. This is your go-to when you want to impress without the stress, bringing a touch of elegance to the everyday.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken

Kale and tortellini soup in a bowl on a wooden table.
Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cozy up with a bowl of Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken, where comfort meets nutrition in a delicious embrace. This dish marries the tender bites of chicken and tortellini with the hearty, wholesome greens of kale. It’s like sending a love letter to your body, packed with everything good and nothing you’ll regret. Imagine the kind of hug your grandma gives; that’s this soup.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken

Pesto Orzo Salad

Orzo salad resting on a dark plate.
Pesto Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re all about that bright, herbaceous life, then Pesto Orzo Salad is calling your name. This dish is a vibrant mix of tiny orzo pasta pearls, fresh greens, and that nutty, garlicky pesto punch that we all crave. It’s like a summer garden party in your mouth, without the need for fancy invitations. It’s the perfect plus-one for any meal, promising to be the life of the cooking party.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

A hand holding a spoonful of creamy chicken noodle soup with vegetables over a bowl, accompanied by slices of bread on a plate.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Who says you can’t have comfort in a bowl year-round? Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is the hug you need, with tender noodles, chunks of chicken, and a broth that’s rich and inviting. It’s like going back to those days when a bowl of soup could fix everything, making it your go-to when you need a little TLC. This dish doesn’t just warm the body, but it also soothes the soul.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

A bowl of Mediterranean orzo salad on a black plate.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Get whisked away to the shores of Mediterranean with the Orzo Salad with Shrimp. Here, the light, rice-shaped pasta mingles with plump shrimp, sun-kissed tomatoes, and a sprinkle of herbs that will have your palate dancing. It’s like a summer holiday in your mouth, promising a burst of flavor with every bite. Perfect for those days when you need a little sunshine on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken cordon bleu casserole on a black plate with a fork.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is the dish that brings all the fancy without the fussy. Imagine chunks of tender chicken, ham, and melty cheese all coming together under a golden breadcrumb topping. It’s like having a gourmet dinner ready in your casserole dish, because who says weeknights have to be boring? It’s the comfort food that dresses up for the occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Greek Spaghetti

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

Say “opa!” to a meal that’s as fun to eat as it is to say—Greek Spaghetti. This dish is a merry mix of all the Mediterranean flavors you love, wrapped around your fork and ready to transport you to a breezy Greek island. It’s like a vacation on your plate, without the hassle of packing. Perfect when you want to mix things up and bring some international flair to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti

Turkey Stuffed Shells with Pesto

Turkey and Pesto Stuffed Pasta Shells in a black cast iron dish.
Turkey Stuffed Shells with Pesto. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Turkey Stuffed Shells with Pesto might just be the green light your weeknight dinner needs. It’s that unique twist on pasta that brings lean, savory turkey and vibrant pesto together, housed in perfectly al dente shells. It’s like a little garden party in every bite, without the need for fancy hats. Who knew transforming leftovers could lead to a dish that feels this fresh and exciting?
Get the Recipe: Turkey Stuffed Shells with Pesto

Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Tortellini Soup with Sausage in a white bowl.
Tortellini Soup with Sausage. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who said soup can’t be the main event? Not us, especially when it’s Tortellini Soup with Sausage that takes the stage. This dish puts a spin on your cozy nights, blending spicy sausage and soft tortellini in a way that will make your heart and stomach sing in harmony. Forget about the weather outside—this soup will wrap you up in a warm hug no matter what.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Giant Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells in two black serving dishes.
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells are here to take your pasta night from zero to hero. These aren’t just pasta shells; they’re cheesy treasures hidden under a blanket of savory sauce, waiting to make your cheesy dreams come true. It’s the kind of meal that makes you wonder if you should share or keep it all to yourself. Spoiler alert: It’s too good not to share, even if you don’t want to.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce

Gnocchi in Lemon-Parmesan Sauce on a black plate.
Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Brighten up your dinner with Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce, a dish that’s as cheerful as a sunny day. This little potato dumplings bask in a light, tangy sauce that’s sure to put a spring in your step. It’s the kind of meal that brings a little zing to your table, making even the dreariest days feel a bit brighter. It’s sunshine in a bowl, no sunglasses required.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce

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