43 Easy Pasta Dinners the Whole Family Will Love
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 gooey macaroni and cheese and put your feet up. Unexpected drop-in guests? Wow them with fancier-than-it-looks skillet pasta.
When we're planning a dinner that we want every member of the family to enjoy, pasta dishes always come to mind. Plus, we're sure you probably have at least one box of pasta on hand in your pantry at all times. With this collection of our favorite pasta recipes, you'll 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.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Recipe:Â Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Chicken, penne, and cream sauce come together to create an all-star dinner casserole.
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Chicken-and-Broccoli Pasta Bake
Recipe:Â Chicken-and-Broccoli Pasta Bake
Ready in just 35 minutes, this comforting pasta dish is a great way to sneak in some veggies.
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Baked Ziti with Chicken
Recipe:Â Baked Ziti with Chicken
Instead of ground beef, this new version of classic baked ziti calls for store-bought rotisserie chicken.
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Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms
Recipe:Â Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms
A quick broil just before removing your skillet from the oven will give you a bubbly, golden-brown finish.Â
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Beefy Baked Ravioli with Spinach and Cheese
Recipe: Beefy Baked Ravioli with Spinach and Cheese
Refrigerated ravioli helps dinner come together in just 35 minutes.
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Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta
Recipe:Â Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta
Although this recipe calls for rigatoni, you can use whatever type of pasta you have on hand.Â
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Pasta with Pancetta, Artichokes, and Roasted Red Peppers
Recipe: Pasta with Pancetta, Artichokes, and Roasted Red Peppers
This five-ingredient pasta is packed with flavor thanks to some high-impact ingredients: salty pancetta, briny artichokes, and smoky roasted peppers. The juices come together to make a light and luscious pasta sauce, too.
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Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Recipe:Â Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
You can cook every component for a classic spaghetti and meatball dinner in just one pot thanks to your multi-cooker.Â
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Creamy Pesto-and-Shrimp Penne with Peas
Recipe:Â Creamy Pesto-and-Shrimp Penne with Peas
Convenience items like pre-peeled shrimp, frozen peas, and store-bought pesto help this filling pasta dish come together in under 30 minutes.Â
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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Egg noodles serve at the base for a simple ground beef mixture that the whole family will love.
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One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Recipe:Â One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
This recipe uses Cajun seasoning, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese to deliver plenty of flavor in just one pot.Â
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Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
Recipe: Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
High-heat cooking cherry tomatoes releases their natural juices to form a flavorful sauce. Quick-cooking shrimp means everything is ready in less than 30 minutes.
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Baked Ziti with Sausage
Recipe:Â Baked Ziti with Sausage
We used three types of cheese to make sure this baked ziti is oh-so-cheesy.
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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.
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One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Recipe: One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
You need just one pot and 35 minutes to get this fajita pasta dinner on the table.
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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
Recipe:Â 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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Meatball Pasta Bake
Recipe:Â Meatball Pasta Bake
While they may not be the usual ingredients, orange juice and fennel add a bright flavor to this pasta bake.Â
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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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One-Pot Pasta Primavera with Bacon and Feta
Recipe: One-Pot Pasta Primavera with Bacon and Feta
We cook the pasta for this dish in chicken stock to create a rich and silky sauce.
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Mushroom Stroganoff
Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff
Smoked paprika adds depth to this meatless dish.
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Tomato Carbonara
Recipe:Â Tomato Carbonara
This vegetarian-friendly version of your favorite pasta dish swaps bacon for burst cherry tomatoes.
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Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle
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.
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Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage
Recipe:Â Sweet Pepper Pasta with Sausage
Who knew sweet peppers and sausage could be such a winning combination?
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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
Recipe:Â 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
Recipe:Â Cabbage, Mushroom, and Bacon Pasta
This one skillet, one pot dish makes cooking an elegant dinner easier than ever.
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Spaghetti Casserole
Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole
Southerners love our casseroles, and it doesn't get much easier than this Spaghetti Casserole.
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Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Recipe:Â 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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Ham and Noodle Casserole
Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole
Whether you want to serve it up for dinner or make it to freeze for later, this noodle casserole comes together in 45 minutes.
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Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese
Recipe: Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese
With this recipe, you can enjoy the flavors of tacos even on pasta night.
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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
Recipe:Â One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
No one will ever suspect that a meal this elegant was cooking in just one pan. Talk about no cleanup!
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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas
Recipe:Â 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
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
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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Shrimp Alfredo
Recipe:Â Shrimp Alfredo
Add some seafood to your weeknight dinner with this incredibly simple shrimp Alfredo recipe. It's delectable and perfect for a spring supper.
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Pasta Shells with Spring Vegetables
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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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
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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Cacio e Pepe
Recipe:Â Cacio e Pepe
You'll need just four ingredients for this simple, classic recipe.Â
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Beefy Butternut Squash Pasta
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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Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna
Recipe:Â 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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Mac and Cheese with Ham
Recipe:Â Mac and Cheese with Ham
Add some ham to mac and cheese to turn the classic side into a dinner-worthy casserole.Â
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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.
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Spinach Ravioli Lasagna
Recipe:Â 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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Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta
Recipe:Â Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta
From the stove to the oven to the table, you can cook and serve this pasta dish all in one skillet.Â