Pasta is the ultimate reliable dinner, and these recipes prove why. Fast, versatile, and universally loved, they adapt to whatever’s in your pantry. From creamy indulgence to light and lemony, these pastas work for any mood. They’re meals that come through when you need them most.

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta has tender, fall apart chicken that simmers all day in creamy & cheesy sauce! Copycat recipe you can make easily!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken 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

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

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

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

Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Lemon pasta with spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

An easy, quick and delicious Mediterranean-inspired pasta filled with lemon, spinach, and feta. It can be enjoyed as is for a vegetarian meal or topped with your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A bowl of shrimp pasta with lemon and parsley.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Savor the taste of garlic butter shrimp pasta. It’s a delicious fusion of shrimp, pasta, and garlic-infused butter sauce.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

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

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

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

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

Brussels Sprouts Pasta

A bowl of pasta with bacon and brussels sprouts.
Brussels Sprouts Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This 25-minute Brussels sprouts pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. With just six ingredients, it’s perfect for quick dinners but with added bacon, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes, it’s got plenty of delicious decadence to make it an impressive meal.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts 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

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

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)

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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