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    Home » Collections

    40 Easy Pasta Recipes

    Published: Nov 22, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Easy pasta meals in 20 minutes

    Check out our best easy dinner recipe collection!

    On this page:
    • Pasta in 20 minutes
    • Pasta in 30 minutes
    • Italian pasta ideas
    • Easy pasta salads
    • Homemade pasta
    • Healthy pasta toppings
    • What to serve with pasta
    • Recipe

    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.

    Zucchini Pasta in a pot

    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!

    garlic and oil pasta aglio olio

    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.

    tomato basil pasta or spaghetti al pomodoro with shaved parmesan

    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.

    penne arrabbiata in a pan

    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!

    broccoli pasta recipe

    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!

    lemon ricotta pasta with spinach

    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.

    Butternut squash pasta with pistachio

    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.

    Alfredo Mushroom in a white bowl

    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.

    vegan mushroom pasta with cherry tomatoes and parsley

    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.

    red pepper pasta with roasted cauliflower

    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.

    Pasta Puttanesca with a fork

    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.

    Spinach pesto in a pan with pasta

    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!

    rigatoni arrabbiata in a plate with fresh parsley on top

    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.

    kabocha pasta with fork

    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!

    eggplant pasta or pasta alla norma

    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.

    vegan zucchini pesto with pasta

    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.

    Cauliflower Alfredo with fork

    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.

    roasted cauliflower pasta

    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.

    Mushroom Bolognese with fork

    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.

    pasta fagioli in a white bowl with spoon

    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.

    pasta and lentils

    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.

    pasta e ceci in a bowl

    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.

    lentil bolognese with tagliatelle

    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.

    Baked ziti portion sizes

    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!

    rigatoni and ricotta with thyme

    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.

    tofu bolognese on spaghetti

    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.

    carbonara on a plate

    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.

    tofu meatballs in marinara sauce

    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!

    marinara sauce on spaghetti

    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.

    chestnut pasta with mushrooms

    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.

    Italian pasta salad with Italian dressing

    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.

    Chickpea pasta salad

    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.

    avocado pasta salad

    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.

    chickpea pasta in a large bowl

    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.

    roasted eggplant pasta salad

    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.

    Artichoke pasta in a bowl with lemon

    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.

    Asparagus pasta with green peas

    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.

    homemade butternut squash ravioli

    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.

    homemade gnocchi made with a fork

    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!

    butter and sage sweet potato gnocchi on a plate

    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.

    trofie pasta with vegan pesto

    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.

    Orecchiette broccoli rabe

    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!
    • White sauce and spoon
      Easy White Sauce (Béchamel)
    • tomato confit
      Tomato Confit
    • vegan pesto
      Vegan Basil Pesto
    • Roasted vegetables on a white plate
      Roasted Vegetables
    • Caramelized onions on a platter
      Caramelized Onions
    • steamed artichokes
      Steamed Artichokes
    • Roasted mushrooms with parsley
      Roasted Mushrooms
    • chili oil
      Chili Oil

    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

    easy pasta recipes in 30 minutes

    40 Easy Pasta Recipes

    Author: Nico
    You can make these easy pasta recipes for a delicious weeknight dinner with few ingredients. The recipes are vegetarian, and you can easily adapt them for vegan guests too.
    This recipe is a creamy and fresh lemon ricotta pasta.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 4 - 5 people
    Calories 504 kcal

    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.
      boil spinach and pasta together

    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.
      ricotta sauce with parmesan
    • Whisk well until the sauce is smooth and the ingredients well combined.
      mix ricotta and spices

    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.
      spinach and ricotta pasta with fork

    Video Recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a Quick 20-min Dinner

    Notes

    Nutrition information is for one portion of lemon ricotta pasta out of five.
    PASTA COOKING TIP
    You'll need 3 quarts (12 cups or 3 Liters) of water and 1 ½ tablespoons (21 grams) of salt for 12 ounces (340 grams) of pasta. 
    DIFFERENT VEGGIE?
    You can make this pasta dish with most veggies. Scroll up to the "variations" chapter to learn how.
    DAIRY-FREE?
    You can use our easy homemade soy ricotta and almond parmesan.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    40 Easy Pasta Recipes
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 504 Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 19g29%
    Saturated Fat 10g63%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 6g
    Cholesterol 55mg18%
    Potassium 585mg17%
    Carbohydrates 58g19%
    Dietary Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 25g50%
    Vitamin A 5819IU116%
    Vitamin B6 0.3mg15%
    Vitamin C 16mg19%
    Vitamin E 2mg13%
    Vitamin K 277µg264%
    Calcium 401mg40%
    Folate 132µg33%
    Iron 3mg17%
    Manganese 1mg50%
    Magnesium 96mg24%
    Zinc 3mg20%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico and Louise, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

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