5-Ingredient Pasta Recipes

By Mary Shannon Wells

Pasta night is always a go-to for busy weeknights at my house, and these simple recipes prove that short ingredient lists won’t short you on flavor. If you’re looking to clean out the pantry, these pasta recipes with few ingredients are here to lend a hand. With just five ingredients, you’ve got a warm and hearty dinner on the table. Plus, these dishes are kid-friendly too. Easy pasta dishes like our favorite noodle salads make for great lunches the next day, and five-ingredient pasta bakes (lasagna and spaghetti and meatball casserole) freeze beautifully. Don’t waste time and money at the store racking up ingredients for a complicated recipe. With just five ingredients, these quick and easy pasta recipes won’t put a dent in your free time or wallet.

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Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Add fresh dill just before serving to give this light pasta salad a hint of zing. It’s bright and colorful enough for serving at a luncheon, but easy enough for weekday lunches.

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2 of 21

Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Our Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette is a universal dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Peppery arugula and sweet watermelon complement each other perfectly.

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Extra-Easy Lasagna

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

Recipe: Extra-Easy Lasagna

You don’t even have to pre-cook the noodles for this classic dinner recipe. Make one to eat and one to freeze for busy nights.

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Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Use your bountiful farmers’ market haul for this summery pasta salad that feels indulgent with cheese-and spinach-filled tortellini.

5 of 21

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Homemade macaroni and cheese is the only way to do it at Mama’s house, and this one-dish recipe is as easy to master as the boxed stuff.

6 of 21

Sweet Pea-and-Mint Pasta Toss

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Pea-and-Mint Pasta Toss

Serve this springy pasta dish as a potluck side dish or along with grilled shrimp or chicken for a light and bright dinner.

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7 of 21

Tomato-and-Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato-and-Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

You can sub beefsteak tomatoes and gorgonzola for other tomato varieties or crumbly cheese you have on hand.

8 of 21

Make-Ahead Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole

Pinterest/Pillsbury

Recipe: Make-Ahead Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole

Ready-made ingredients make this pasta bake the best option for the busiest weeknights of the month.

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Gnocchi with Spinach, Bacon, and Blue Cheese

Pinterest/The Kitchn

Recipe: Gnocchi with Spinach, Bacon, and Blue Cheese

Gnocchi is a nice changeup from classic spaghetti on Italian night, and this skillet recipe has perfectly balanced flavor.

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10 of 21

5-Ingredient Tomato and Artichoke Penne

Pinterest/Eating with Emmy Lou

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Tomato and Artichoke Penne

This pasta recipe makes a pan sauce that’s lighter than the jarred stuff, but you won’t miss out on any flavor. 

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Cheesy Taco Pasta

Pinterest/Dinner, then Dessert

Recipe: Cheesy Taco Pasta

When you can’t decide between Mexican or Italian, this five-ingredient pasta is the best way to satisfy both cravings.

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5-Ingredient Pesto Pasta Salad

Pinterest/Gimme Some Oven

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Pesto Pasta Salad

Jarred pesto quickens this colorful recipe up, but you can always make it yourself if you have time.

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Cacio e Pepe

Pinterest/Food52

Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

This classic pasta dish proves that even the simplest ingredient lists can make a restaurant worthy dinner.

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Easy Baked Rigatoni with Chicken Meatballs

Pinterest/A Cedar Spoon

Recipe: Easy Baked Rigatoni with Chicken Meatballs

This 30-minute pasta recipe is ideal for busy weeknights. It freezes well and makes plenty to eat throughout the week.

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Five Ingredient Tomato Ricotta Linguini

Pinterest/Cooking for Keeps

Recipe: Five Ingredient Tomato Ricotta Linguini

This summery pasta dinner won’t leave you feeling weighed down, but creamy ricotta adds a bit of indulgence.

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16 of 21

Baked Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli Florentine

Pinterest/With Salt & Wit

Recipe: Baked Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli Florentine

Prep this casserole the night before and pop it in the oven to bake for just 30 minutes. You can easily customize the ingredients to fit what’s in your fridge and pantry.

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Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo

Pinterest/Plain Chicken

Recipe: Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo

If you like heat, pile on the Cajun seasoning in this creamy pasta dish. Use smoked turkey sausage for an easy calorie cut.

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Five Ingredient Baked Tortellini Casserole

Pinterest/A Wicked Whisk

Recipe: Five Ingredient Baked Tortellini Casserole

Talk about comfort food! This cheesy, 30-minute pasta bake is a quintessential “it’s been a long day” dinner, and you deserve it.

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Linguine with Arugula, Garlic and Parmesan

Pinterest/Gimme Some Oven

Recipe: Linguine with Arugula, Garlic and Parmesan

With a dish this simple, use good quality olive oil and Parmesan for the most flavorful results.

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Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

Pinterest/Creme De La Crumb

Recipe: Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

In this recipe, using the slow cooker makes lasagna a breeze, and using ravioli instead of noodle sheets makes it extra cheesy.

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