These pasta dishes are proof that carbs are worth celebrating. Creamy, saucy, and endlessly comforting, they make every forkful feel like the right choice. Simple pleasures, perfected.

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

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

This copycat Olive Garden chicken pasta is slow-cooked to perfection for the ultimate comfort meal. Tender chicken simmers all day in a creamy, cheesy sauce that tastes like it came straight from the restaurant. It’s rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make—just set it and forget it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

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

This hearty ground beef pasta skillet is perfect for busy nights when you want comfort food fast. It’s loaded with savory beef and pasta in a rich, flavorful sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Best of all, it’s ready in under 30 minutes and made in one pan for easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

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.

Smoky, creamy, and full of flavor, this smoked sausage and pasta dish will become a weeknight favorite. Fresh vegetables, tender pasta, and a touch of cream create a comforting, hearty meal. It’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

Chicken breast cut with pasta in the background.
Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta. Photo credit: .

Bright, zesty, and elegant, this lemon chicken piccata pasta feels restaurant-worthy yet easy to make at home. The tangy lemon sauce pairs beautifully with tender chicken and pasta. It’s a simple way to impress guests or treat yourself to a luxurious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Piccata 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 one-pot French onion pasta is the cozy comfort dish you’ll crave on chilly nights. With caramelized onions and a rich, savory sauce, every bite tastes like a warm hug. It’s simple to make, requires minimal cleanup, and delivers maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta

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.

This slow cooker Cajun chicken pasta is bursting with bold flavor and creamy goodness. Tender chicken and colorful bell peppers cook in a rich, spicy sauce that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s a no-fuss dinner that delivers big flavor with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Ricotta and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl.
Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This pasta with ricotta and tomatoes is a comforting, cheesy dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. The creamy ricotta blends beautifully with juicy tomatoes for a simple yet flavorful combination. It’s satisfying as a main course or a hearty side dish.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

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.

Packed with flavor and texture, this sausage and broccoli rabe pasta is both hearty and satisfying. The crumbled sausage infuses the entire dish with a savory depth, while the greens add a touch of freshness. It’s an easy, affordable meal that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe 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 elegant white wine chicken pasta combines tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a light, aromatic sauce. Infused with garlic and herbs, it’s full of bright and balanced flavors. Quick to make but impressive enough for guests, it’s a dinner worth savoring.
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.

A Mediterranean-inspired favorite, this lemon feta spinach pasta is both fresh and filling. The mix of tangy lemon, salty feta, and tender spinach creates a vibrant, flavorful bite. Enjoy it as a vegetarian dish or add your favorite protein for extra heartiness.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

pasta aglio olio e peperoncino is mixed with a black pasta fork.
Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Simple, classic, and full of flavor, this pasta aglio olio e peperoncino highlights garlic, olive oil, and chili peppers. It’s an Italian favorite that proves less is more when it comes to great food. Perfect for a quick dinner that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

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.

Indulge in a restaurant-quality meal at home with this brown butter scallop pasta. Pan-seared scallops are paired with nutty, sage-infused brown butter for a rich, luxurious flavor. It’s elegant, easy to prepare, and perfect for date night or special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Scallop 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.

This lemon garlic butter pasta is simple comfort food at its finest. Warm pasta is coated in a silky butter and garlic sauce with just a hint of lemon. It’s quick, satisfying, and pairs perfectly with almost any protein.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta.
Meatball Pasta Bake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This easy meatball pasta bake is the ultimate family-friendly dinner. Just mix, bake, and enjoy layers of pasta, sauce, and cheesy goodness. It’s hearty, satisfying, and requires almost no effort to pull together.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta

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

Add a little kick to dinner with this spicy Romano chicken pasta. The creamy sauce and tender chicken are perfectly balanced with a hint of heat. It’s quick to make, full of flavor, and sure to be a hit at the table.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

Garlic butter shrimp pasta is the perfect blend of rich, buttery sauce and tender seafood. It’s flavorful, comforting, and takes only minutes to make. Ideal for weeknights when you want something quick but special.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Alfredo Steak Pasta

Alfredo steak pasta in skillet with wooden spoon.
Alfredo Steak Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Creamy Alfredo steak pasta combines tender slices of steak with a rich, cheesy sauce. It’s a hearty, indulgent meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Perfect for when you want a comforting dinner with a touch of elegance.
Get the Recipe: Alfredo Steak Pasta

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

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