35 Easy Pasta Recipes to Make from That Extra Box of Pasta in Your Pantry

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Pasta

We combined two summertime staples—pasta salad and shrimp boil—in this incredibly simple recipe. 

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!

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. 

Recipe: Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage

Sweet peppers and hot Italian sausage make a dynamic duo in this easy pasta recipe. The fresh, light pan sauce can be whipped up in minutes. 

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. 

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus

Asparagus brings a crisp crunch to this fettuccine recipe, and plenty of lemon balances out the creamy sauce. 

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. 

Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

This creamy mushroom-studded sauce is calling your name. Are you going to answer? Serve over wide egg noodles. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta

For this dish, the secret lies in the seasoning—heavily seasoned Cajun chicken, that is.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Recipe: Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

We guarantee everyone will love this five-ingredient pasta salad. Fresh dill is the secret flavor that ties it all together. 

Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Say hello to your new weeknight warrior, and a pretty one at that. This colorful casserole calls for cheese-filled tortellini, fresh broccoli, and chicken (which, yes, can be leftover shredded rotisserie chicken). 

Recipe: Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle

You'll swoon over the lemony breadcrumbs that top this dish. If you’re looking to save even more time, skip the fresh English peas and opt for frozen peas that have been thawed instead. 

Recipe: Crab-and-Bacon Linguine

Embrace the coastal state of mind with this tasty linguine dish. It feels special, but doesn't require much more than what you can already find in your pantry or fridge. 

Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto

Never thought so crispy a chicken thigh could come from a simple one-pot recipe? Prepare to be blown away. We won't tell if you use storebought pesto. 

Recipe: Late-Night Pasta Chez Frank

This signature late-night "snack" from Chef Frank Stitt of Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham, Alabama shows that simple is sometimes (way) better. Like "7 ingredients and 25 minutes" simple.