25 Easy Pasta Dinners The Whole Family Will Love

March 08, 2015
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Whether you’re in the mood for hearty comfort food or a light, bright summer pasta, you can never have too many pasta supper ideas. Pasta dishes are a great thing to have in your repertoire, especially these easy pasta recipes that won’t take up too much precious weeknight time. Need a one-pot supper? Pasta to the rescue! Had a long day, tiresome day? Mix up a batch of our ooey, gooey macaroni and cheese and put your feet up. Unexpected drop-in guests? Wow them with fancier-than-it-looks Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas. Spring vegetables, fall vegetables, chicken, ground beef, cheese, sausage, sauce–the combinations are endless, and can be daunting because of the sheer volume of possible dishes. With this collection of our favorite quick pasta recipes, you will always have at least one dish to turn to in a pinch. Plus, these dishes are all so easy to put together and feed a whole family. The kids will definitely be coming back for seconds.
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Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus

Fettuccine Alfredo probably isn’t the first dish you think of for a springtime supper or healthy eating. But this version, made with fresh, seasonal asparagus, is much lighter than the classic and just as delicious. With a bit of lemon to give it a citrus kick, it’s perfect for the warmer weather.

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Mushroom Stroganoff

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Smoked paprika adds depth to this meatless dish.

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Pasta Shells with Spring Vegetables

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pasta Shells with Spring Vegetables

Pea tendrils, the tender tips of pea vines that taste just like the peas, make an unexpected and charming garnish.

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Whisk warm milk into the flour mixture to ensure a lump-free sauce. We also recommend shredding your own cheese for a creamier texture. We tested with Cracker Barrel Extra-Sharp Cheddar. Our step-by-step guide removes any guesswork from making this classic pasta.

Step-by-Step Video: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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Spinach Ravioli Lasagna

Credit: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Spinach Ravioli Lasagna

This top-rated spinach-ravioli lasagna uses convenience items, like store-bought pesto sauce, jarred Alfredo sauce, and frozen cheese-filled ravioli, to deliver a delicious main dish with little time and effort on your part.

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Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

A container of refrigerated pesto adds distinctive flavor to this basic beef-and-cheese lasagna, and the unbaked lasagna can be frozen for up to three months.

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Cavatappi Pasta with Beans and Bacon

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cavatappi Pasta with Beans and Bacon

Thick, twisty cavatappi noodles pair beautifully with crisp bacon and bright beans.

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Spaghetti Casserole

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

Southerners love our casseroles, and it doesn’t get much easier than this Spaghetti Casserole.

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Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

A touch of cream makes this tomato sauce oh-so-indulgent.

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Beefy Butternut Squash Pasta

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Recipe: Beefy Butternut Squash Pasta

With substantial pieces of butternut squash and browned beef, this pasta is a whole meal in one bowl.

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Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage

Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage

Who knew sweet peppers and sausage could be such a winning combination?

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Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs

Only in the South do we throw pecans into our pesto—and once you make the switch, you’ll never look back.

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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Have some surplus from your farmers’ market haul? Add your extra produce to this catch-all, summery baked ziti.

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Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta

This one skillet, one pot dish makes cooking an elegant dinner easier than ever.

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Tomato Carbonara

Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Tomato Carbonara

This vegetarian-friendly version of your favorite pasta dish swaps bacon for burst cherry tomatoes.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Chicken, penne, and cream sauce come together to create an all-star dinner casserole.

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Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Have a pack of ground beef on hand? Make this easy Spaghetti Bolognese your go-to dinner solution.

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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

Your guests will never suspect that a meal this elegant was cooking in just one pan. Talk about no cleanup!

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Spring Pea Pasta with Ricotta and Herbs

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Spring Pea Pasta with Ricotta and Herbs

Equal parts pasta and crisp, bright peas, this pasta helps you get your greens in (and still tastes great)!

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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Freshen up your tried-and-true pasta casserole with bright green kale. A creamy sauce keeps this 30-minute pasta bake feeling appropriately cheesy and indulgent.

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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling Torie Cox

Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

A stunning dish of gnocchi is shockingly easy to make – just pick up a package of the potato pasta at the grocery store and toss it in your skillet.

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Cheesy Sheet Pan Pasta

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Fusilli Pasta with Spinach, Tomato, and Bacon

Pasta, cooked and crisped to perfection on a sheet pan? Don’t knock it until you try it.

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Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

This balanced bowl gives you full servings of vegetables and pasta in one, making it the ideal winter weeknight supper.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Tortellini, chicken, broccoli, butter crackers, and pecans compose this casserole that bursts with flavor and texture.

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Cajun Shrimp Boil Pasta

Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Boil Pasta

Shrimp, corn, and smoked sausage form the base for this warm-weather pasta dish with a nice Cajun kick.

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