10+ Pasta Dinner Recipes to Delight Your Family Tonight

Pasta dinners make it easy to enjoy a simple, filling meal that fits into any busy schedule. Whether you want something quick or a dish that feels special, pasta recipes offer many easy options for your taste and time.

You can make delicious meals with just a few ingredients and little effort. These recipes bring comfort and flavor to your table without complicated steps or hard-to-find items.

With pasta, you can enjoy a wide range of dishes that keep dinner exciting and satisfying.

Ingredients

• Pasta (any type you prefer)
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a large pot and add a pinch of salt.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain the pasta and toss with olive oil and minced garlic.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve warm and enjoy your simple pasta dinner.

1) Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

This dish is simple and full of flavor. You cook tender chicken with garlic, then mix it with pasta and a creamy Parmesan sauce.

You don’t need cream for this recipe. Parmesan cheese and a bit of pasta water make the sauce creamy.

You can make it all in one pan to save time and cleanup. Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
• 8 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Add garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Add pasta and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
6. Return chicken to the pan and stir in Parmesan cheese.
7. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
8. Garnish with parsley if you like and serve warm.

For more, check garlic Parmesan chicken and pasta recipes here.

2) Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma is a simple and tasty Sicilian dish. Eggplant cooked in olive oil combines with a fresh tomato sauce.

You’ll top it with ricotta salata cheese for a salty kick. Roasting or sautéing the eggplant brings out a rich, meaty texture.

Serve Pasta alla Norma with any pasta you like, but short pasta like rigatoni or penne works well. Fresh basil adds a bright, herby touch.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium eggplants, cubed
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup ricotta salata, grated
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 ounces pasta

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss eggplant cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20 minutes.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan, add garlic, and cook until fragrant.
5. Add tomato sauce and simmer 10 minutes.
6. Stir in roasted eggplant and cook 5 more minutes.
7. Combine pasta with sauce.
8. Serve topped with ricotta salata and fresh basil.

3) Vegan Cacio e Pepe

Vegan Cacio e Pepe is a simple pasta dish full of flavor. It’s creamy and cheesy without using dairy.

You use cashews or vegan parmesan to get a rich texture. Cook your pasta until it’s almost firm, then use some of the starchy pasta water to create a smooth sauce.

Black pepper gives it a nice kick. This recipe is great when you want something comforting and plant-based.

It only takes about 20 minutes to make. You likely have most of the ingredients already.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or your choice)
• Cashews (soaked) or store-bought vegan parmesan
• Vegan butter
• White miso paste
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Starchy pasta water

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta until just firm (al dente). Reserve some pasta water.
2. Blend soaked cashews with miso, vegan butter, and salt to make sauce.
3. Toss pasta with sauce and add pasta water to reach creaminess.
4. Stir in plenty of black pepper.
5. Serve hot and enjoy your easy, tasty vegan cacio e pepe.

For a detailed recipe, check this vegan cacio e pepe pasta recipe.

4) Creamy Miso Pasta

Creamy miso pasta adds rich flavor to your dinner. The sauce blends miso paste with butter or olive oil for a smooth, savory taste.

You can add mushrooms or garlic for extra depth. Pasta water helps the sauce stick to your noodles and makes each bite creamy.

This dish comes together quickly and works well for busy weeknights. Try using spaghetti, bucatini, or any pasta you have on hand.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or bucatini)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 2 tbsp white miso paste
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1¼ cups reserved pasta water

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1¼ cups pasta water and drain pasta.
2. Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and mushrooms, cook until soft.
3. Add miso paste and reserved pasta water. Whisk until sauce is smooth and warm.
4. Toss pasta in the sauce, mixing well. Serve warm.

Find more details on creamy miso pasta recipes at Bites of Beri.

5) Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu

This dish makes a tasty and simple pasta dinner in about 30 minutes. The large paccheri pasta holds a creamy sausage ragu well, giving you rich flavor in every bite.

Start by cooking spicy Italian sausage with onions. Add a creamy tomato sauce to make the ragu smooth and savory.

Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce for a hearty meal. The sausage ragu is great for a weeknight dinner when you want something filling but don’t have much time.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound paccheri pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the sausage in a pan over medium heat until browned.
2. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and heavy cream, simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Cook paccheri pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 12 minutes.
5. Drain pasta and add it to the sauce, toss well.
6. Add butter, stir until melted.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

For more details, check the Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu recipe.

6) Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Green Goddess Pasta Salad is a fresh and tasty option for dinner. The creamy, herby dressing uses basil, spinach, garlic, and lemon.

This salad works well as a light meal or a side dish. Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chickpeas for extra flavor and texture.

It also keeps well in the fridge, so leftovers taste great the next day. The dressing is easy to make and combines mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Toss the cooked pasta and veggies with the dressing to enjoy a bright and zesty dish.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (like penne or rotini)
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella balls
• 1 cup chickpeas (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool.
2. In a blender, combine basil, spinach, garlic, mayonnaise, olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
3. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, toss pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and chickpeas.
5. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
6. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

For more ideas, check out this Green Goddess Pasta Salad recipe.

7) One-Pot Mac and Cheese

One-pot mac and cheese makes a simple and quick dinner any time. Cook the pasta right in the sauce to save time and cut down on dishes.

The result is creamy, cheesy pasta with just a few ingredients. You can use your favorite type of cheese, but cheddar or Fontina work well.

Adding milk and water creates a smooth sauce that coats every noodle. You can also add salt to bring out the flavors.

This dish is perfect when you want something warm and comforting with minimal fuss.

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) box macaroni
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine macaroni, milk, water, and salt.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
3. Cook until pasta is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted and creamy.
5. Serve warm and enjoy.

For more technique details, check this One-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.

8) Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells make a creamy and comforting pasta dinner. Fill large pasta shells with a mix of ricotta cheese and sautéed spinach.

Cover the shells with tomato sauce and bake until bubbly. You can add mozzarella and parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Serve spinach and ricotta stuffed shells with a side salad or garlic bread. This meal is ready in about an hour and works well for family or guests.

Ingredients

• 20 large pasta shells
• 15 oz whole milk ricotta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 1 egg
• 2 cups fresh spinach (sautéed)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain them.
3. Mix ricotta, sautéed spinach, egg, half the mozzarella, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
4. Stuff the shells with the cheese mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish. Place stuffed shells on top.
6. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the shells.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and sauce bubbles.

9) Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Shrimp scampi pasta is a quick and tasty dinner. Cook shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce with white wine and lemon.

Toss the sauce with linguine or spaghetti for a light, flavorful meal. You can have this dish ready in about 15 minutes.

Bright lemon and garlic flavors pair well with tender shrimp and pasta. Shrimp, garlic, butter, white wine, lemon juice, and pasta are the main ingredients.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3 minutes.
6. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
7. Toss shrimp and sauce with pasta.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

For more details, check this shrimp scampi pasta recipe.

10) Easy Pasta with Winter Greens

You can make a simple pasta dinner using winter greens like Swiss chard or kale. The sauce comes together quickly with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese.

Sauté the greens with garlic while the pasta cooks. Add lemon juice to brighten the dish, and sprinkle Parmesan for a creamy touch.

This vegetarian recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a great way to use up greens during cooler months.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 1 bunch Swiss chard or kale, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and save some pasta water.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

3. Add greens to the pan. Cook until the greens wilt.

4. Add cooked pasta, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Toss everything to combine.

5. Pour in some reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.

6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Find more about this recipe at Simply Recipes.