10+ Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Pasta is a great choice when you want a meal that is quick, simple, and tasty. It doesn’t take much time or skill to prepare.

It’s perfect for busy days or when you don’t feel like spending too long in the kitchen. You can create many different dishes with just a few basic ingredients.

You can enjoy comforting dishes that fit your schedule and taste, whether you want something creamy, saucy, or light. Pasta is versatile and works well with many flavors and ingredients.

1) Pasta alla Norma with eggplant and ricotta

Pasta alla Norma is a simple and tasty Italian dish. You cook tender eggplant and mix it with a fresh tomato sauce.

Roast or lightly fry the eggplant for more flavor. Top the dish with ricotta salata or creamy ricotta cheese.

Ricotta adds a nice, mild saltiness that brings the pasta together. This recipe is perfect when you want a vegetarian meal that feels full and satisfying.

It’s also easy to make with common ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant, cut into cubes
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 12 oz pasta (rigatoni or spaghetti)
• 1/2 cup ricotta salata or ricotta cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss eggplant cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil and roast for 20 minutes.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
4. Heat remaining olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
5. Add tomato sauce, salt, and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Mix roasted eggplant into the sauce.
7. Combine pasta with sauce.
8. Serve with ricotta and basil on top.

2) Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This pasta recipe is simple and creamy, perfect for a quick dinner. You cook the pasta while making a garlic and parmesan sauce in one pot.

The sauce is buttery and rich, with a nice garlic flavor that isn’t too strong. You can use bow tie or angel hair pasta.

The dish comes together in about 20 minutes. If you want, add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (bow tie or angel hair)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cooked chicken or shrimp

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.
2. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth.
6. Return pasta to pot; toss to coat.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Add chicken or shrimp if using, heat through, and serve warm.

3) One-Pot Sausage and Tomato Rigatoni

This one-pot sausage and tomato rigatoni is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. You cook everything in one pan, which means less cleanup for you.

The recipe uses Italian sausage, fresh tomatoes, and rigatoni pasta. You can add herbs like basil and thyme for extra flavor.

It only takes about 30 minutes to make. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare but still full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft.
4. Stir in tomatoes, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
6. Add rigatoni pasta and reduce heat to simmer.
7. Cook for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender.
8. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and serve warm.

For more details, see this one-pot creamy sausage rigatoni recipe.

4) Pasta with Winter Greens and Lemon

This pasta dish is simple and fresh. You’ll use winter greens like Swiss chard or collard greens.

These greens add a nice, mild bitterness. Lemon juice brightens the flavor and gives the dish a zesty touch.

Garlic and Parmesan cheese make the sauce silky and tasty. Sauté the greens quickly to keep them tender but still vibrant.

Toss them with cooked pasta, and finish with a squeeze of lemon. The dish is ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta (any kind you like)
• 1 bunch winter greens (Swiss chard, collard, or kale), chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add chopped greens and cook until wilted, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Toss the pasta with greens, lemon juice, zest, and Parmesan.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

5) Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a simple and tasty pasta dish you can make in about 30 minutes. It uses just a few ingredients: pasta, eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper.

This dish does not use cream. The sauce is creamy from the eggs and cheese mixed with hot pasta.

You start by cooking the pasta until it’s just tender. Then, you mix beaten eggs and grated cheese in a bowl.

The cooked pork adds a salty, savory flavor. Finally, you combine everything quickly to create a smooth sauce.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 4 oz guanciale or pancetta (cured pork)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente.
2. While pasta cooks, cut guanciale into small pieces and cook in a pan over medium heat until crispy. Remove from heat.
3. Beat eggs and cheese together in a bowl, adding black pepper.
4. Drain pasta, reserving some pasta water.
5. Quickly mix hot pasta with eggs and cheese, stirring constantly to form a creamy sauce. Add pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
6. Stir in cooked guanciale. Serve immediately.

6) Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

This creamy tomato and spinach pasta is simple and quick. You can make it in less than 30 minutes.

The sauce is smooth and flavorful without much effort. Spinach adds a fresh touch, and the creamy tomato sauce makes the pasta comforting.

You can also add cheese like mozzarella to make it even tastier. This dish uses basic ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup mozzarella or Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Sauté garlic for 1 minute.
4. Add diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
7. Mix in cooked pasta and cheese, if using.
8. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Find similar recipes for quick meals like this here: Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta.

7) Vegan Pesto Pasta with basil and pine nuts

You can make a fresh and tasty vegan pesto pasta using basil and pine nuts. This recipe skips cheese but still packs a lot of flavor.

It is quick to prepare and uses easy-to-find ingredients. Blend garlic, nuts, fresh basil, and oil for the pesto.

Toss it with your favorite pasta for a simple meal. Add a squeeze of lemon for a little zing if you like.

This dish works great warm or cold. You just need to blend the ingredients, cook the pasta, and mix them together.

Ingredients

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt to taste
• 8 ounces pasta of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a blender, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, and salt.
3. Slowly add olive oil while blending until smooth.
4. Drain pasta and toss with the pesto sauce.
5. Serve immediately or chill for later.

8) Easy Paccheri with Sausage Ragu

You can make a tasty meal quickly with paccheri pasta and a simple sausage ragu. This dish uses spicy Italian sausage cooked with onions and a creamy tomato sauce.

It comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. The large paccheri pasta holds the sauce well, giving you a rich, flavorful bite every time.

You can add butter or cream to make the sauce smooth and comforting. This recipe is easy to follow and does not require many steps.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound paccheri pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ⅔ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the paccheri pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. In a large pan, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned.
3. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft.
4. Stir in tomato sauce and heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Drain pasta and add it to the sauce.
6. Stir in butter, salt, and pepper. Heat through. Serve warm.

9) Simple Pasta Bake with Garlic Crumb

This pasta bake is easy to make and full of flavor. You cook your favorite pasta, mix it with a tomato or cheese sauce, and top it with a crunchy garlic breadcrumb topping.

The garlicky crumbs add a nice texture and taste to every bite. You can use penne, rigatoni, or ziti for this dish.

The bake cooks in the oven until bubbling and golden on top. To add more veggies, try spinach or tomatoes.

This recipe takes about 50 minutes total. It works well for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
• 2 cups marinara or cheese sauce
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
3. Mix pasta with sauce. Place in a baking dish.
4. Combine breadcrumbs, minced garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan.
5. Sprinkle breadcrumb mix evenly on top of pasta.
6. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

10) One-Pot Alfredo with Broccoli

This one-pot Alfredo with broccoli is simple and quick. You cook everything in a single pan, which means less cleanup.

It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. The creamy Alfredo sauce, tender broccoli, and pasta all cook together.

The broccoli adds a fresh, healthy touch. You can add chicken for more protein.

The dish uses fettuccine noodles, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and milk or cream. Everything cooks at once, so the flavors blend well and the sauce thickens.

Ingredients

• 8 oz fettuccine pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cups milk or cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot or skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. This takes about 1 minute.

3. Pour in milk or cream. Bring it to a simmer.

4. Add fettuccine. Make sure the liquid covers the pasta.

5. Cook the pasta for 10-12 minutes. Stir often.

6. When the pasta is almost done, add broccoli. Cook until the broccoli is tender.

7. Stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.

8. Serve hot.