Pasta dinners with a fresh twist are the answer when you want great food without spending all day in the kitchen. These recipes balance convenience and taste, making them perfect for busy schedules and hungry families. Each one is worth trying at least once.

Italian Sausage Pasta

A white bowl filled with cooked macaroni pasta mixed with sauce, herbs, and garnished with chopped parsley offers a fresh twist on classic pasta dinners, beautifully presented on a wooden board.
Italian Sausage Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This Italian Sausage Pasta comes together in under 30 minutes with just one pot, making dinner easy and cleanup quick. It features spicy Italian sausage, roasted red peppers blended into a creamy sauce, and fresh spinach stirred in for a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Pasta

Creamy Pea Pasta

Image shows Creamy Pea Pasta in an enameled cast iron pot.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Satisfy your cravings with Creamy Pea Pasta, a creamy and flavorful dish that will leave you wanting more. This meatless Monday favorite is quick and easy to make, perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta

Pizza Casserole (Pizza Pasta Bake)

A plate of baked pasta topped with melted cheese, pepperoni slices, black olives, mushrooms, green peppers, and shredded herbs, with a fork on the side.
Pizza Casserole (Pizza Pasta Bake). Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This pasta bake combines ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms, and two types of cheese into one cheesy, comforting meal that’s ready in under an hour. It’s a perfect quick dinner for busy nights and lets you customize with your favorite pizza toppings for endless flavor combos. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this recipe turns classic pizza into a fun pasta twist everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole (Pizza Pasta Bake)

30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Creamy Chicken And Corn Pasta closeup partial of finished dish cropped horizontal.
30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta recipe is so easy to make and so delicious to eat. Bowtie pasta complements the seasoned chicken chunks. Also, it’s topped with bacon. Bacon makes everything better.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

A fast and easy plate of pasta with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Warm pasta is tossed in a simple garlic butter sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese and compliments ham perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

One Pot French Onion Pasta

A plate of rigatoni pasta with shredded cheese and herbs, next to a fork on a white dish. An onion and parsley are in the background.
One Pot French Onion Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This simple, One-Pot French Onion Pasta is the ultimate comfort food for those chilly winter nights. Made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in under an hour, this hearty dish will warm you up from the inside out.
Get the Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta

Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

A bowl of penne pasta with sliced sausage, tomatoes, and grated cheese, garnished with herbs. A fork is placed beside the bowl.
Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This Smoked Sausage and Pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. Make with smoked sausage, tender pasta, fresh vegetables all cooked in a creamy sauce. Your family will love it!
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta

Pasta in a Texas shaped cast iron skillet.
Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

This Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta is a delicous family meal!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese garnished with parsley.
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This sausage and pepper pasta dish is a hearty, one-dish dinner that allows you to get supper on the table in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

A white bowl filled with penne pasta, diced chicken, red bell peppers, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Get ready for tender chicken and colorful bell peppers slow-cooked to perfection with a creamy sauce that’s anything but boring. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and lets your slow cooker do the heavy lifting, so you can enjoy a flavorful meal with barely any effort. The hint of garlic and Cajun spice adds just the right amount of kick to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage in a serving bowl with tomatoes in the background.
Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This meaty dish is made with affordable sausage. It’s crumbled up, so it infused the dish with plenty of flavor, and with sausage in every bite, no one will know this is an inexpensive dish.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce

Creamy zucchini pasta sauce with shaved parmesan.
Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce offers a lighter yet warming dish. The sauce is rich and creamy, with a hint of Parmesan to add depth. Pair it with your favorite pasta for a comforting meal that’s perfect for a chilly night. It’s a tasty and warming option for those looking for a comforting yet lighter dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce

White Wine Chicken Pasta

A pan filled with bowtie pasta mixed with diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and chopped herbs.
White Wine Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This recipe combines tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a light white wine sauce infused with garlic and oregano for a bright, flavorful meal. It’s a quick 35-minute dinner that’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner and fancy enough for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: White Wine Chicken Pasta

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pasta Puttanesca is a classic Italian quick sauce that may be the fastest pasta dish you’ll ever make.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

A bowl of creamy rotini pasta salad topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions.
Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Looking for an easy weeknight dinner that practically cooks itself? This creamy chicken pasta combines tender slow-cooked chicken, crispy bacon, zesty ranch seasoning, and gooey cheese for a comforting meal that hits all the right notes. It’s a one-pot wonder that makes busy evenings feel a little less hectic and a lot more tasty.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Brown Butter Scallop Pasta

A serving of pasta topped with a seared scallops and a sage brown butter sauce.
Brown Butter Scallop Pasta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown Butter Scallop Pasta. Pan seared scallops finished with sage browned butter and served over pasta. A restaurant quality meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Scallop Pasta

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground beef pasta skillet garnished with parsley.
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef pasta recipe can be made in under 30 minutes with any pasta you have and tastes like it’s been simmered all day long on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

A plate of orzo pasta topped with sliced grilled chicken, garnished with parsley and lemon. Nearby are bell peppers, lemons, and a bowl of grated cheese on a red patterned cloth.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta that is bursting with bright, lemony flavors and perfect for both busy weeknights!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Image shows a closeup view of tuna and tomato pasta in a white patterned bowl.
Tuna and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This tuna and tomato pasta is so simple that kids can make it (with supervision, of course). It’s tasty and has a simple protein that means this is ready in about 25 minutes, perfect for any weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Serving of buffalo chicken pasta bake with casserole dish.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Try this easy and delicious baked pasta and chicken recipe. It features tender chicken combined with pasta in a creamy sauce for a dish that packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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