35 Easy Pasta Recipes to Make from That Extra Box of Pasta in Your Pantry
Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage
Any sweet peppers will work in this dish, but we like colorful, tender baby bell peppers.
1 of 35
Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
With just 25 minutes, you can have this kid-friendly (and adult-friendly, for the record) dish on the table, and no one will know that you doctored up a quality jarred pasta sauce and old box of pasta.
2 of 35
Fettuccine Alfredo with Leeks and Peas
Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Leeks and Peas
Crispy bacon immediately makes any pot of pasta so much better, and you can quote us on that.
3 of 35
One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
Recipe: One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
This hearty, one-dish dinner is actually a pretty healthy choice. (Go you!) Chicken sausage, mushrooms, and collard greens add major flavor.
4 of 35
Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas
Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas
Got frozen peas? You're set. Gnocchi tastes even better when the pillowy bites are toasted in a skillet for a little outer crisp.
5 of 35
Chicken Caprese Pasta
Recipe: Chicken Caprese Pasta
Between the blistered tomatoes, fresh pesto sauce, and torn chunks of mozzerella, you won't be able to resist making this recipe tonight. It only takes—wait for it—20 minutes.
6 of 35
Pasta Primavera with Shrimp
Recipe: Pasta Primavera with Shrimp
You can swap in whatever pasta you have on hand when making this 30-minute pasta recipe. It's loaded with healthy vegetables, fresh shrimp, and a light sauce.
7 of 35
Cheesy Sheet Pan Pasta
Recipe: Fusilli Pasta with Spinach, Tomato, and Bacon
If your favorite part of a lasagna or baked ziti is the golden crunchy edges, you’ll love this sheet pan pasta.
8 of 35
Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta
Recipe: Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta
It's like an antipasto salad—but way better. Use leftover greens to bulk up this pasta dish.
9 of 35
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Take this easiest-ever route—we won't tell. Rotisserie chicken, store-bought sauces, and pre-shredded cheese make this chicken casserole almost too good to be true.
10 of 35
Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi
Recipe: Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi
Customize this recipe with your favorite in-season veggies. You can keep gnocchi in your freezer, which means you should stock up immediately. You know, in case of suppertime emergencies.
11 of 35
Braised Chicken Thighs with Slow-Cooked Marinara
Recipe: Braised Chicken Thighs with Slow-Cooked Marinara
Let your slow cooker braise those chicken thighs and marinara sauce, lady. You'll thank us later.
12 of 35
Shrimp Boil Pasta
Recipe: Shrimp Boil Pasta
We combined two summertime staples—pasta salad and shrimp boil—in this incredibly simple recipe.
13 of 35
Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Recipe: Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Make a double batch of our Mouthwatering Marinated Tomatoes—because they're just as good in this spaghetti as in a bowl for snacking. All you need for this recipe are those heavenly bites, thin spaghetti noodles, and mozzerella balls. Really!
14 of 35
Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta
Recipe: Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta
This quick and easy wilted cabbage dish comes together in under 30 minutes, all on the stovetop. Oh, and bacon.
15 of 35
Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce
Recipe: Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce
You're just 25 minutes away from dinnertime bliss. We recommend using fresh shrimp, not frozen, for the best flavor.
16 of 35
Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus
Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus
Asparagus brings a crisp crunch to this fettuccine recipe, and plenty of lemon balances out the creamy sauce.
17 of 35
Baked Shells and Greens
Recipe: Baked Shells and Greens
There's an undercover healthy twist to this simple pasta. It takes a total of 30 minutes to get on the table, and that includes the time it takes to bake the dish in the oven.
18 of 35
Mushroom Stroganoff
Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff
This creamy mushroom-studded sauce is calling your name. Are you going to answer? Serve over wide egg noodles.
19 of 35
Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore
Recipe: Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore
How can something that looks so fancy take only half an hour? Hey, we're not going to question it. This pork dish is a breeze.
20 of 35
Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
Recipe: Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
This gnocchi spin on a traditional gratin is oh-so easy to make. It's the best use of frozen peas we've ever tasted.
21 of 35
Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone
Recipe: Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone
Your broiler will blister and burst those tomatoes to tasty submission. From there, fresh herbs and rich mascarpone cheese will lead you home.
22 of 35
Tomato Carbonara
Recipe: Tomato Carbonara
Cherry tomatoes add welcome pops of color to this carbonara recipe, which takes only a handful of ingredients to get going. Pair with, well, whatever pasta you have in the pantry. It'll still shine.
23 of 35
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta
For this dish, the secret lies in the seasoning—heavily seasoned Cajun chicken, that is.
24 of 35
Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Spend 20 minutes in the kitchen prepping this gorgeous, hearty sauce—and then let it all come together in the slow cooker while you're at work. Done and done.
25 of 35
Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
Recipe: Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
It's amazing what you can do with a jar of pasta sauce and packet of pepperoni. This casserole combines two family favorites.
26 of 35
Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs
Recipe: Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs
If you don't have time to make our scrumptious pecan pesto, storebought will do. But, believe us, you don't want to skip the garlicky breadcrumbs.
27 of 35
Penne with Mushrooms, Corn, and Thyme
Recipe: Penne with Mushrooms, Corn, and Thyme
Use up your fresh summer corn in the tastiest way. This pasta recipe packs a flavorful punch, with only a few ingredients.
28 of 35
Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream
Recipe: Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream
Refrigerated ravioli and jarred alfredo sauce gets dressed up for dinner by being heated with white wine, chopped fresh tomatoes, and fresh basil.