When I’m running low on dinner recipe inspiration and don’t know what to cook, pasta nearly always sounds good. Pasta recipes are easy to throw together on busy weeknights when you’re craving something cozy and comforting but don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. It’s the kind of minimum-effort, maximum-payoff dish that can make any dinner feel a little bit fancy—even if you’re chowing down on the couch in front of your favorite TV show. The pasta itself usually cooks in about 10 minutes, then all you have to do is mix in a sauce, maybe add a vegetable or protein of your choice, and you have an easy, delicious dinner ready to devour.
While a box of noodles plus a store-bought jar of sauce is an easy formula for the busiest of times, a little extra effort can go a long way. From creamy pastas to veggie-packed options to baked dishes that feel decadent enough for a dinner party, these pasta recipes are simple enough to attempt on a weeknight but taste like you put in some serious effort.
Easy pasta recipes
With minimal ingredients and cook time, these easy pasta recipes are life-savers when you need a quick dinner on the table ASAP.
1. Penne alla Vodka
Penne alla vodka is one of those classic pasta dishes you often see on restaurant menus, but making it at home is actually incredibly easy. Requiring just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, it’s an easy way to romanticize a regular weeknight.
2. 20 Minute Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and heavy cream form the basis of this creamy pasta dish that tastes decadent but takes just minutes to throw together. This recipe calls for rotisserie chicken to save time, but you could also cook your own if you have the bandwidth. Don’t skip the fresh basil at the end!
3. Easy Veggie Spaghetti
This is one of those clear-out-the-fridge pasta recipes that works with just about any veggie you have on hand. Chop up whatever you’ve got, sauté the veggies until softened, then stir in some crushed tomatoes and seasonings to create an easy sauce. It’s a great way to work in some extra veggies while making dinner as low-effort as possible.
4. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
With a bag of frozen shrimp plus a few staples from the fridge and pantry, you can throw together this garlic butter shrimp pasta in just 30 minutes. It feels fancy enough for a date night at home but is simple enough to pull off even after a long day at work.
READ: 30-Minute Dinner Recipes to Turn to on Busy Weeknights
5. Baked Feta Pasta
This easy pasta recipe first went viral on TikTok several years ago, and it’s been on regular rotation in my household ever since. The combo of roasted cherry tomatoes and tangy feta makes the most delicious pasta sauce, and the fact that your oven does most of the work for you is a huge bonus.
6. Cottage Cheese Creamy Pesto Pasta
This creamy pesto pasta packs in way more protein than your typical pasta dinner, thanks to an easy blender sauce made with cottage cheese. Grab a jar of store-bought pesto, boil some pasta, and get blending for the easiest dinner you’ll make all week.
7. 15 Minute Creamy Garlic Pasta
You can whip up this easy creamy garlic sauce in the time it takes for your pasta to boil. It’s perfect for when you want a cozy home-cooked meal but only have a few minutes to spare. If you want to add some extra protein, grilled chicken or shrimp would make a delicious addition!
Creamy pasta recipes
When you’re craving something rich and indulgent, nothing beats a bowl of creamy pasta. These recipes are best enjoyed in your coziest pajamas with your comfort show on in the background:
8. Creamy Tomato Pasta
Who needs jarred sauce when it’s so easy to make your own creamy, tomato-based pasta sauce using just a few simple ingredients? This easy pasta recipe will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters and pairs perfectly with a thick slice of garlic bread on the side.
9. Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta
Butternut squash pasta is the perfect cozy dish to make for cold weather. The sauce is made from butternut squash roasted alongside garlic and herbs and then blended with ricotta cheese for a creamy, dreamy texture. The crispy prosciutto is the cherry on top that takes this dish to the next level.
10. Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Made with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and a splash of white wine, this creamy mushroom pasta takes just 30 minutes to make but tastes fancy enough to impress any guest. Serve with a salad on the side and the rest of the bottle of wine for an easy dinner that feels extra special.
11. Creamy Lemon Pasta with Ricotta and Basil
The bright flavors of lemon and fresh basil go so well with the creaminess of the ricotta in this cozy pasta recipe. Top with plenty of grated parmesan for a dish that strikes the perfect balance between tangy and rich.
12. Creamy Vegan Pasta with Veggies
Not all creamy pasta recipes require actual heavy cream. For a lighter, dairy-free option, this recipe uses cashews to create the creamy texture and nutritional yeast to add a cheesy flavor. Add in some sautéed veggies, and you’ve got a yummy, plant-based pasta dish that tastes indulgent but packs in plenty of protein, fiber, and nutrients.
READ: 20 Plant-Forward Recipes That Make Eating More Veggies Genuinely Easy
13. Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pasta
If you’ve ever wished you could just devour a whole bowl of spinach and artichoke dip for dinner, this pasta recipe is for you. Made with cream cheese, garlic, artichoke hearts, and spinach—plus your favorite pasta shape—it turns this classic appetizer into a full-on meal.
One-pot pasta recipes
The fewer dishes, the better. These one-pot pasta recipes require just one piece of cookware (and often taste even more delicious because the noodles cook in the sauce instead of separately in boiling water).
READ: 32 One-Pan Meals for Your Busiest Nights of the Week
14. One Pot Rigatoni Bolognese
A traditional Italian Bolognese sauce typically requires hours of simmering on the stove, but with this recipe, you can achieve a similar effect with just 30 minutes and a single piece of cookware. It’s all the same cozy flavors with a fraction of the effort.
15. One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta
You’d never guess this creamy, cheesy pasta recipe packs in two whole cups of grated zucchini, which cooks alongside everything else in one big pot. It’s a sneaky way to up your veggie intake for the day while still enjoying a rich, cozy dinner.
16. One Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
With chicken, veggies, and pasta all coated in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, this one-pot recipe turns out a fully balanced meal in just over 30 minutes. And with only one pan to clean afterward, it’s a true lifesaver for busy schedules.
17. Mediterranean One Pot Pasta
Loaded with classic Mediterranean ingredients like olives, artichoke hearts, fresh dill, and crumbled feta, this isn’t your basic pasta recipe. It tastes like something you’d order at a seaside taverna in Greece, but you can easily whip it up at home in just 20 minutes.
18. Ground Beef Pasta
For a simple, hearty pasta dinner, mix together a quick tomato meat sauce, pour in some extra broth, and let the pasta cook right in the sauce for maximum flavor. If you like your pasta creamy, stir in some Greek yogurt at the end for a protein-rich alternative to heavy cream.
19. One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy, smoky, and spicy, this one-pot pasta recipe captures all the yummy flavors of Cajun cuisine. Although the recipe calls for chicken, this dish would also be delicious with shrimp!
Baked pasta recipes
The only thing cozier than a warm bowl of pasta? A whole casserole dish full of bubbling-hot, cheesy pasta pulled straight from the oven. These baked pasta recipes are comfort food in its purest form:
20. Baked Ziti
This easy baked ziti recipe is made with jarred marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly shortcut. The prep takes just 10 minutes, and then your oven takes over to do the rest of the work.
21. Easy Caramelized Onion Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake
Packed with seasoned chicken, caramelized onions, two full bags of fresh spinach, and a creamy parmesan sauce, this baked pasta recipe doesn’t hold back on flavor. You might be tempted to skip the breadcrumb topping to save time, but that little buttery crunch is so worth the extra step!
22. No-Boil Baked Penne with Meatballs
This baked pasta recipe couldn’t be more foolproof. You literally just dump all the ingredients (including the uncooked penne noodles) into a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake. About 40 minutes later, you’ll have a hearty, delicious dinner ready to dig into.
23. Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Pasta
Craving pizza but don’t want to mess with making your own dough? Turns out, classic pizza toppings like Italian sausage, crispy pepperoni, and melty cheese taste just as good heaped over a bed of pasta. Customize this recipe with any of your favorite pizza toppings for a delicious, homemade alternative to delivery.
24. Mushroom Alfredo Penne Bake
This mushroom pasta bake looks rich and indulgent, but it’s secretly healthy thanks to a homemade alfredo sauce made from cauliflower instead of the usual heavy cream. Top with plenty of shredded Gruyere cheese and you won’t even be able to tell the difference.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
