If you're looking for easy pasta recipes, these 40 easy pasta recipes will help inspire you for your next dinner.
Browse through this list and take your pick: from vegetarian and healthy pasta dishes to creamy dishes that are Sunday dinner worthy. Best of all, they're made with wholesome and easy-to-find ingredients, making them perfect for families and for weeknight dinners.
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Pasta in 20 minutes
Weeknight-friendly, quick to make, and with few ingredients, these pasta ideas are perfect as last-minute dinner solutions.
1. Zucchini pasta
Grated zucchini, fusilli pasta, and parmesan cheese are the main ingredients in this light and quick zucchini pasta. Serve as is or pair it with a chickpea salad for added greens and color.
2. Pasta aglio e olio
One of the quickest pasta dishes with few ingredients is spaghetti Aglio e olio. The aroma of the garlic-infused flavor of this 15-minute pasta dish will transport you straight to Italy!
3. Pasta Pomodoro
Ready in 20 minutes, this tomato-rich Pasta al Pomodoro is simple but super satisfying. Serve your pasta with bruschetta or an easy side salad for an inviting and wholesome meal.
4. Penne all'arrabbiata
Zesty, quick and creamy, this pasta arrabbiata (angry pasta) is easy to make and delicious to eat. It's a family-friendly and moderately spicy dinner idea.
5. Broccoli pasta
Wanna add more greens to your pasta? Try this 20-minute broccoli pasta with mashed broccoli sauce and orecchiette pasta, it's a creamy and fun pasta that will please your entire family!
6. Lemon ricotta pasta with spinach
Try this no-cook sauce with ricotta and parmesan, this recipe is featured in the recipe box. Mixed with cooked pasta and spinach, this lemon ricotta pasta is a super quick and velvety creamy pasta. Easily adapted to vegetarians and vegans!
7. Butternut squash pasta
This endlessly creamy butternut squash pasta is a must-try! Roasted and caramelized butternut squash is blended with ricotta and parmesan and mixed with Italian herbs. A restaurant-worthy and quick pasta dish for the whole family.
8. Mushroom Alfredo
Here's a lighter Alfredo sauce with sauteed mushrooms, a no-fuss weekday dinner idea. Serve with a quick tomato salad for a colorful and complete meal.
9. Vegan mushroom pasta
Here's a mushroom pasta with authentic Italian flavor and plenty of bite and chewiness: vegan mushroom pasta. Eat on its own, or serve with a fennel salad for a restaurant-like meal packed with flavor and greens.
10. Roasted red pepper pasta
Make the red pepper sauce in just 10 minutes and mix with al dente paccheri or rigatoni pasta. Or upgrade this pasta with roasted cauliflower for added greens and crispiness, it's a wholesome and satiating dinner idea.
11. Puttanesca
Pasta Puttanesca is a Neapolitan pasta dish with olives, capers, and canned tomatoes that you can make in 20 minutes. It's rich, tangy, and incredibly satisfying to eat despite its simple ingredients.
12. Spinach pesto
Quick to make, vibrantly greens and with healthy protein, this spinach pesto is a handy dinner or lunch idea. Mix with pasta and you'll have a complete meal, or upgrade with a side salad for added greens and freshness.
13. Rigatoni arrabbiata
Curious about how to add flavor and zest to your pasta? Try this arrabbiata sauce, it takes just 15 minutes to make and will add creamy and irresistible flavor to any pasta type. Try with short pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli, it's a perfect match!
Pasta in 30 minutes
Take your pick from velvety creamy and easy pasta meals that are ready in 30 minutes or less. You will find vegetarian and vegan cooking instructions in all of the pasta recipes.
14. Kabocha squash pasta
A fall and winter-friendly pasta with a creamy-dreamy sauce: easy kabocha squash pasta. Roast the kabocha squash and mix it with ricotta and parmesan for a quick Italian-inspired pasta sauce that everyone will love.
15. Pasta alla Norma
Roasted eggplant, creamy tomato sauce and fresh basil is a winning combination in this eggplant pasta (pasta alla Norma). If you love eggplant parmigiana or Sicilian caponata, this is a must-try pasta for you!
16. Zucchini pesto pasta
Make this creamy, nutty, and refreshing zucchini pesto in 5 minutes, mix with al dente pasta, and optionally garnish with parmesan. With your pesto leftovers, you can easily upgrade your sandwich or pasta salad and prepare for your next office lunch.
17. Cauliflower Alfredo pasta
Creamy Alfredo sauce but lighter and healthier; here's a cauliflower alfredo pasta with loads of creaminess and flavor. It takes just 25 minutes to make and makes a complete meal when paired with a pear salad or red cabbage salad.
18. Cauliflower pasta
If you love cauliflower and pasta, you'll love this garlic and lemon-infused cauliflower pasta. Add parmesan cheese and roasted pine nuts for added flavor and serve with your favorite side salad and crostini to make your meal complete.
19. Mushroom bolognese
A quick and veggie-packed pasta idea with plenty of taste and an Italian feel: mushroom ragu. We quick-blend mushrooms for texture, it's an easy way to make a meat-free yet super tasty pasta dinner.
Italian pasta ideas
Add extra authentic Italian flavor to your cooking repertoire with these easy-to-make Italian pasta meals. They'll please kids and adults alike and send you straight to Italy with their authentic look and flavor.
20. Pasta e fagioli
Pasta a fagioli is a soup and main dish and best of all: an easy and comforting meal with few ingredients. The rich and rustic flavors in this dish will please everyone around your table, kids and adults alike.
21. Lentil pasta
This lentil pasta recipe with cherry tomatoes will take you straight to the Italian countryside. Simple and few ingredients paired with fresh Italian herbs result in a comforting and rich pasta dish.
22. Pasta e ceci
You'll love this wholesome pasta e ceci (pasta with chickpeas) because it's easy to make in one pot and is ready in just 30 minutes. It's made with simple and affordable pantry staples and you'll feel amazing eating this nourishing and legume-rich dish.
23. Lentil bolognese
This lentil bolognese recipe is inspired by Italian bolognese sauce and is a perfect match with pasta, gnocchi, or lasagna. Make it for dinner, and freeze the leftovers for a meal-prep-friendly and easy pasta sauce for the weekdays.
24. Baked ziti
Baked ziti pasta is perfect as a special meal for a Sunday, it's great for kids and adults alike and easily made vegan. Use it as a handy meal-prep-idea as you can keep the leftovers for days in your fridge.
25. Pasta al Limone
My grandma used to make this Pasta al Limone dish with delicious ripe lemons from the Amalfi coast, mixing fragrant lemon zest with fresh ricotta from the local farm. It's an easy creamy sauce with ricotta and parmesan cheese that does not require cooking, and it's ready in 25 minutes!
26. Tofu pasta
Here's a vegetarian and vegan-friendly pasta with tasty crumbled tofu and a rich tomato sauce. This is essentially a tofu bolognese that you can put together for a quick, easy, and satiating meal in just about 30 minutes.
27. Vegetarian carbonara
This is a vegetarian carbonara recipe with tofu or tempeh bacon, a simple recipe that can be made in 20 minutes. The taste of our carbonara sauce is similar to the taste of an Italian carbonara recipe with an eggy and tangy flavor.
28. Italian vegetarian meatballs
These vegan and vegetarian-friendly tofu meatballs give you meatballs without the meat but plenty of flavors. This recipe is quick and easy to make with very simple ingredients, perfect on spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine pasta.
29. Marinara sauce with spaghetti
This quick and no-fuss marinara sauce recipe is an easy way to give your meals a fresh kick; you can use it as a pasta sauce, pizza topping, on top of veggies, or as a delicious and versatile dip!
30. Chestnut pasta with mushrooms
This chestnut pasta is a cozy, creamy, cheesy, and earthy pasta dish with sauteed mushrooms and blended chestnut pesto. It's made with a few simple ingredients and is a restaurant-worthy dish perfect for weekends and Sunday dinners.
Easy pasta salads
Pasta for lunch is no problem with these easy pasta salad ideas. They're vegan and vegetarian-friendly, and ideal for lunchbox meals and bringing to the office.
31. Pasta salad
Need ideas for a quick and healthy lunch? This vegan pasta salad is the ideal lunchtime meal because it's quick to prepare and delicious to eat. A sweet and tangy mustard vinaigrette makes this salad a real crowd-pleaser.
32. Chickpea pasta salad
This chickpea pasta salad is ready in 20 minutes, and is a happy and colorful lunch and dinner idea. Make it with your favorite veggies, a short pasta type and canned chickpeas - it's a wholesome and satiating meal.
33. Avocado pasta salad
Avocado salad is easily jazzed up with the addition of pasta. Try this avocado pasta salad, a healthy and colorful dish that works as a crispy and creamy lunchbox meal.
34. Eggplant tomato pasta with chickpeas
This chickpea pasta with tender eggplant is quick and easy to make, with simple ingredients. Within 30 minutes, you'll have a wholesome and Italian-inspired dinner for the whole family.
35. Eggplant salad
Eggplant salad is an easy and quick recipe with roasted eggplant, chickpeas, and crunchy seasonal vegetables. It's perfect as a make-ahead meal, for potlucks, and picnics.
36. Artichoke pasta
This creamy and elegant artichoke pasta is ready in just 20 minutes! Make it with fresh lemon juice, olives, and pine nuts, then serve it for friends and family - it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
37. Asparagus pasta
This bright and spring-friendly asparagus pasta is a creamy and luxurious weeknight dinner idea. It takes just 20 minutes to make this Italian-inspired dish, and it's vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
Homemade pasta
Preparing for a romantic dinner or Sunday dinner? These homemade pasta recipes are family-friendly, fun to prepare, and delicious to eat. Take your pick from these easy-to-follow recipes with step-by-step instructions.
38. Butternut ravioli
Perfect for a romantic dinner or Sunday meal! These butternut squash ravioli are soft and delicious pasta pillows filled with incredible butternut squash, ricotta, and parmesan filling. Serve it with a butter and sage sauce for a real Italian homemade meal.
39. Potato gnocchi
Making gnocchi is a wonderful family activity, simply equip yourselves with forks and a clean worktop! Our homemade gnocchi recipe makes soft and delicious potato pillows with three simple ingredients, it is surprisingly easy to make.
40. Sweet potato gnocchi
Sweet potato gnocchi is made with microwaved sweet potato and just two other ingredients. You can make this simple and tasty recipe in about 30 minutes and have it for a lovely dinner with your family. Really, they are easier than you think!
Trofie pasta with homemade pesto
Trofie pasta is a quick homemade pasta that you can shape using your hands. We show you how to make trofie at home like in Italy with just two ingredients.
Orecchiette with broccoli rabe
Orecchiette with broccoli rabe is a traditional Italian recipe from Apulia, a south-eastern region with incredible food, history, and beaches. Homemade orecchiette are easy to prepare, with two simple ingredients: water and durum wheat semolina flour.
Healthy pasta toppings
For a quick upgrade to bland pasta, take your pick from these flavor enhancers that pair well with cooked pasta:
- White sauce with 5 ingredients, for a quick and creamy pasta sauce
- 5-min pesto with parsley, artichokes, or arugula
- Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, eggplant, cauliflower, or bell pepper, they add extra jazz and color to your pasta plate!
- Caramelized onions for a sweet and tangy addition to your pasta meal
- Slow-baked tomatoes with garlic and herbs - a sweet, creamy, and tenderly roasted tomato topping
- Steamed artichokes with fork-tender artichoke texture and a rich mild nutty flavor
- Chili oil for added zest and spicy-ness
- Sauteed mushrooms are a chewy pairing with al dente pasta and creamy hummus, we try this combination in our hummus pasta recipe!
What to serve with pasta
Transform your pasta dish a complete meal with these crispy and green salad favorites, it's a great way to eat your veggies and have your pasta too!
- 45 easy salad recipes with raw, cooked, and vegetable-packed salad dishes
- Best sides for pasta and pizza: bread, salads, and veggie ideas that'll upgrade your dinner!
- 25 vegetable sides that work with every meal
- Easy appetizers: serve a dip, bruschetta, or crostini before or next to your pasta,
For many more pasta ideas, check out our pasta category page.
Recipe
40 Easy Pasta Recipes
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rigatoni or other pasta
- 10 ounces spinach
- 1½ cups ricotta or dairy-free ricotta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated, or dairy-free cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest or more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
COOK PASTA AND SPINACH
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the salt. Wait for the water to boil again, and add the pasta.Stir, then halfway through, add the fresh spinach.Cook the pasta al dente, as per package instructions. While the pasta cooks, make the sauce.
MAKE THE LEMON RICOTTA SAUCE
- To a large mixing bowl, add ricotta, grated parmesan, olive oil, grated lemon zest, grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.Tip: Only zest the yellow peel of the lemon, the white pith can be bitter.
- Whisk well until the sauce is smooth and the ingredients well combined.
TOSS THE PASTA
- Once the pasta is al dente, reserve one cup of the starchy pasta water, drain the pasta, and add it to the bowl with the creamy ricotta mixture.Toss well until the pasta is thoroughly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add some pasta water to make it creamier.Serve immediately with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and some more grated lemon zest.
Video Recipe
Notes
Nutritional Values
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