36 Perfect Pasta Recipes For Easy Weeknight Dinners (2024)

Pasta recipes are usually the first thing that comes to mind when we need to cook dinner, but are crunched for time. To make meal planning even easier, we've compiled the most perfect pasta dishes that will help you put this pantry staple to good use.

Once you've mastered how to boilpasta the right way, all that's left to do is serve tasty meals that will quickly save the day and satisfy all your carb cravings. Click through for 36 perfect pasta recipes that will keep dinnertime easy and interesting.

Brit + Co Perfect Pasta Recipes

Pancetta and Tomato Sauce Pasta

When Giada De Laurentiis tells you to add pancetta to spaghetti, do it immediately; your idea of homemade Italian food will never be the same. In addition to the pancetta, adding Pecorino Romano instead of our usual Parmesan takes this pasta dish to the next level. (via Brit + Co)

Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta

There’s nothing cauliflower can’t do with some garlic and a quick boil. The result is this deliciously deceptive dupe for Alfredo sauce. Besides the fact that it's healthier than your usual 'fredo, you can swap the milk for your go-to nut milk to make it dairy-free. (via Brit + Co)

Tangy Avocado Lime Pasta

This creamy, rich, and delicious pasta recipe is packed with nutrition. If you need a comforting weeknight, meal grab some ripe avocados, lime, chicken stock, cream cheese, and a few other seasonings from your spice rack for a simple and delicious sauce to pair with your go-to pasta. (via Brit + Co)

Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Take your cozy winter recipe repertoire to the next level with this creamy and delish pasta recipe. The original recipe comes from Half-Baked Harvest and begins with caramelizing garlic in olive oil to infuse deep flavor into the pasta sauce. Pro tip, you'll want to make plenty so there are leftovers, because it reheats almost more deliciously than when you whip it up the first time. Enjoy! (via Brit + Co)

Lemony Shrimp Linguine with Spinach

We love a one pot meal, not only for its ease of preparation, but because it also makes cleanup a breeze. This low-effort pasta dish comes together in 15 to 20 minutes and features a garlicky-lemon zest and olive oil sauce as a base to bring together your favorite pasta noodle and protein (we opted for shrimp here). (via Brit + Co)

Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

This ooey gooey batch of macaroni and cheese will be a welcome end to a tough day. Plus the fact that we can make it in our slow cooker (aka, cook it while we clean up the rest of the house) gives it a few bonus points. Pair with Netflix and a glass of red wine for optimum enjoyment. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Elote One-Pot Pasta Recipe

If you're missing the sweet flavors of summertime, serve up this corn pasta dish to take you back. Char corn in a deep pan over medium-high heat, then brown some shallot, garlic and chili powder in the same pot. Add water, salt, and fusilli pasta into the same pot and cook until pasta is al dente. Whip up an elote dressing and serve with crumbled cojita cheese and chopped cilantro for the final touches. (via Brit + Co)

One-Pan Cheesy Tomato Bake

Italian sausage, cream, and both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese come together to create a meal that's already making our mouth water. We're always down to throw in some garlic and basil for a tasty finish, but we'll be honest — you had us at “one pan.” (via Brit + Co)

Egg and Bacon Carbonara

Don't be fooled by the breakfast ingredients in this pasta dish; it's perfect for special occasions, like a Valentine's night in watching your favorite Netflix rom-com. Add some garlic, cheese, and parsley on top to have your S.O. saying "mmmmm" between bites. (via Brit + Co)

Olive Garden-Inspired Spiralized Primavera Recipe

Seeking a low-carb alternative for your pasta craving? Look no further than this zucchini noodles primavera pasta dish. You can keep it gluten free or go halfsies on zucchini noodles and classic pasta. This veggie-packed pasta elevates carrot, yellow bell pepper, and grape tomatoes for a colorful, healthful bite in every forkful. (via Brit + Co)

Beef Chili Skillet Lasagna

This one-pan meal (which takes under 30 minutes to make, btw) will impress even the pickiest eater. Layers of lasagna noodles snuggle around a chili sauce seasoned with ginger, cumin, and smoked paprika for a pasta dish that will surprise and satisfy. (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Pumpkin Pecan Pasta

Pumpkin and pecans sounds a lot like you're making a dessert, but believe us when we say they absolutely work well in a pasta dish too. The secret to making it extra delicious? A bit of cream cheese! Even though it's got pumpkin, feel free to make any time of year. We can't wait to dig in. (via Brit + Co)

Red Sauce Rigatoni Pasta Recipe

If you're still using jar pasta sauce, let this pasta dinner idea inspire you to whip up your own red sauce from now on. All you need for a DIY sauce is some canned tomatoes and garlic that you can blend together in a food processor. To make this dish more filling, brown up some sausage and add your tomato sauce and let it simmer together while your go-to pasta cooks. Add some finishing salt flakes and grated cheese and eat it up! (via Brit + Co)

Skillet BBQ Mac + Cheese

We've tried potato chips on burgers (we definitely recommend) but we've never tried it with mac and cheese. Until now. This pasta dish includes sautéed onions and Lay’s Wavy Hickory BBQ chips for extra flavor and crunch. Chips have never looked so good! (via Brit + Co)

One-Pot Pesto Pasta With Smoked Salmon

With mascarpone and salmon, this is not your average pasta dish, even if it's just as easy to make. Our favorite ingredients come together to make an uh-maze-ing meal, and it only takes 20 minutes from start to finish! The union is decadent, delicious, and soon, done. (via Brit + Co)

Cashew Milk Alfredo Pasta

Prepare to become an Alfredo-alternative convert, because this simple (and vegetarian) sauce is good enough to make you forget the traditional one. The recipe calls for kale, but we recommend adding in other vegetables as well for an even healthier helping. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Avocado Pasta

Ditch the dry pasta box and opt for the heart-healthy AND homemade goodness of avocado dough (yes you read that right). It's made with pantry items you probably already have on hand, like lemon juice and olive oil. Serve with diced avocado on top, or your favorite sauce. (via Brit + Co)

Baked Pasta Pastit*io Recipe

If you're not in a rush to get dinner on the table quick, this baked pasta dish is a perfect, hearty contender for your next meal. This traditional pastit*io recipe comes from Greece and blends two of our favorite elements: tomato meat sauce and creamy béchamel. Best of all, it can be enjoyed as a gluten free dish with gluten free pasta and gluten free all purpose flour substitutes. Bookmark this one and enjoy! (via Brit + Co)

One-Pot Chili Mac N' Cheese

Two American comfort foods collide in one steaming, cheesy bowl. Dinner doesn't get much better than this! The warm, delicious flavor combos make this a great Super Bowl dish, but it also makes a great pick for your next rainy day meal. Cozy mode: on. I (via Brit + Co)

Pumpkin Sage Pasta

Who says that pasta only has to be made with red sauce? Add on pasta classics like sausage and Parmesan, but take things to the next level by surprising yourself (and your taste buds) with sage and savory pumpkin. It's a dish that's great for more than Friendsgiving! (via Brit + Co)

Classic Spaghetti Bolognese With Garlic Crumbs

Everyone needs to master this essential bolognese pasta sauce recipe. The sugar, chili flakes, and oregano balance each other out for a well-rounded, full flavor. But the key to making this a truly delicious dish is the garlic breadcrumb topping. Yes please! (via Brit + Co)

Single-Serving Mac and Cheese

Sometimes, you don't want to make (and clean up) a big family recipe. And if you have a cozy night in planned, it's easier than you think to portion out the perfect serving size for one. Consider it a more luxurious, hands-on version of your favorite instant mac. (via Brit + Co)

Fresh Pasta With Marinara

Making pasta from scratch will help you work out your stress when kneading the dough *and* give you something delicious to eat when it's done. Not only does it make a good date night idea (Pasta! Wine! Netflix!) but you'll also learn a new skill. (via Brit + Co)

Pizza Pasta Salad

Pasta and pizza are two of our favorite dishes ever and together, their combinations are basically unstoppable. Pepperoni, tomatoes, oregano, and mozzarella mixed with your go-to noodle creates a whole new flavor experience that you do *not* want to miss. (via Brit + Co)

Red Wine Pasta

Because you’re going to have a glass of wine anyway, why not add it to your noodles? After experience the unexpected flavor and color, they might just make it on your go-to recipe list. Grated cheese, chopped basil, and chopped garlic take things over the edge (in a good way). (via Brit + Co)

One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pecan Pasta

Put those cans of pumpkin puree you overstocked your pantry with this fall to good use with this flavorful pasta recipe to warm your soul. Diced onion, garlic cloves, pumpkin puree, butter, vegetable stock, and cream cheese come together for a melt-in-your mouth sauce you've got to try this season. (via Brit + Co)

More Perfect Pasta Recipes

Spaghetti Verde With Poblano Cream Sauce

Green spaghetti is a great alternative if you're burnt out on tomato-based sauces. This recipe, originally from Cilantro Parsley, relies on poblano peppers, chili powder, milk, cream cheese, garlic, feta cheese, and cilantro tossed in cooked spaghetti. Roast the peppers for richer flavor and a subtly spicy kick. (Via Cilantro Parsley)

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Sweet potato, sage, and rosemary come together for a delightful and autumnal dinner idea. Follow this pasta recipe, originally created by Live Eat Learn, to DIY gnocchi with sweet potatoes, one egg, and a little bit of flour. Then sauté your final pasta bites in a pan for a caramelized flavor that will satisfy even the pickiest eater. (via Live Eat Learn)

Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

Is there a better pairing than mushrooms and pasta? We think not, and this creamy, vegan pasta recipe pretty much proves our point. Two Spoons crafted this delish pasta dish that uses coconut milk for added creaminess and pappardelle for a voluptuous noodle to slurp up. (via Two Spoons)

Pesto Pasta with Marinated Mushrooms

Get your recommended daily intake of greens via this healthy pasta recipe courtesy of Chef Bai. This pasta recipe is also dairy, nut, and gluten free and perfect if you're cooking for anyone with food sensitivities. Essential ingredients for this dish include gluten free brown rice noodles, portobello mushrooms, coconut aminos, olive oil, dijon, spinach, basil, parsley, garlic, plant milk and of course some salt and pep. It comes together beautifully and will look stunning on your table once plated. (via Chef Bai)

Creamy Mushroom Mascarpone Pasta

If you love cremini mushrooms and chopped garlic, you'll enjoy this recipe. It's a vegetarian-friendly dish that's packed full of goodness that'll nourish your body while leaving you happy with its flavor. (via Cozy Cravings)

Pasta Puttanesca

Even if you don't care for black olives, you won't mind adding them to this pasta puttanesca recipe. (via The Endless Pasta)

Spicy Eggplant Pasta

We know you don't need another incentive to spend the rest of the month making perfect pasta recipes, but we can't help but share this spicy eggplant dish. It's another vegetarian meal that's super easy and quick to cook — prep time included! (via Salt and Lavender)

Lead image via Two Spoons

This post has been updated.

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