Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Quick & Easy Meals 30+ Easy Pasta Recipes Ready in Less Than 45 Minutes Channel your inner Italian with these easy pasta recipes for any night of the week. By Phoebe Fry Updated on August 12, 2024 Close Photo: Greg DuPree Pasta is one of our go-to meals for weekdays and weekends alike because it’s cheap, easy, and endlessly versatile (oh, and absolutely delicious). From cheesy, decadent bakes, to lighter, vegetable-forward dishes, pasta works well in every situation. Scroll through this post for the most satisfying, easy pasta recipes that all come together in less than 45 minutes. 20+ Types of Pasta Noodles Everyone Should Know 01 of 31 Caprese Mac and Cheese Fred Hardy Mac and cheese can be very rich, but this rendition is on the lighter side thanks to a hit of freshness from tomatoes and basil. To complete the Caprese trio, there’s also plenty of creamy mozzarella. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 31 Ultimate Shellfish Spaghetti Victor Protasio If you're in desperate need of a seafood fix, this comforting pasta dish brings in clams, mussels, and shrimp to satisfy that craving. Thanks to store-bought marinara sauce and fast-cooking ingredients, it comes together quickly. The marinara sauce absorbs the rich flavors from the cooking liquid and butter, resulting in a delicious homemade taste. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 31 No-Bake Summer Veggie Lasagna Fred Hardy. There’s no bechamel in this bright veggie lasagna: just seasoned ricotta and fresh summer vegetables with oregano and garlic. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 31 30-Minute Shrimp and Artichoke Scampi Fred Hardy Indulge in this 25-minute artichoke and shrimp scampi dish. Juicy shrimp pair perfectly with the artichoke marinade, crushed red pepper, white wine, and garlic infused oil. Serve pasta topped with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 31 Instant Pot Risotto With Peas and Crispy Salami Greg DuPree The Instant Pot might be the easiest method for making risotto at home, and it gets the job done in just 35 minutes. This recipe has a Spanish flair thanks to the salami and smoked paprika. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 31 Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Greg DuPree Sausage and broccoli rabe are a delicious match—savory and satisfying—and pillowy, quick-cooking gnocchi are the ideal accompaniment for them. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 31 Tortellini and Veggies en Brodo Greg DuPree This recipe is a springy take on a classic Italian recipe; lemon zest and green vegetables elevate and brighten the wintry, tortellini-filled broth. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 31 Mushroom and Burrata Orzotto Greg DuPree Yes, you can make risotto with orzo, and it takes much less time than a classic risotto. Roasted mushrooms, torn burrata, and chopped parsley bring the wow factor. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 31 Spaghetti Pasta Salad With Avocado-Basil Dressing Victor Protasio Pasta salads typically aren’t made with spaghetti, but there’s no real reason why they shouldn’t be. This version is coated with a luscious avocado-basil dressing that comes together quickly in a blender. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 31 Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta With Leeks Victor Protasio Here, a creamy pasta sauce is made with mashed butternut squash and half-and-half. Along with the squash-based sauce, frizzled leeks and sage give this dish a warming, autumnal flavor. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 31 Easy Artichoke Pasta Toss Grace Elkus Jarred marinated artichokes are the secret to this easy pasta dish, which pair well with nutty Parmesan and crushed red pepper. GET THE RECIPE 37 Perfect Pasta Recipes You'll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight (and Every Night) 12 of 31 Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta Caitlin Bensel Instead of tossing broccoli stems, slice and roast them, then blend them into a pesto. We like to use whole wheat pasta with this earthy pesto, but any kind of pasta works. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 31 Whole-Wheat Pasta With Chard and Pine Nuts Victor Protasio This recipe limits food waste by using both the leaves and stems of Swiss chard. Garlic and anchovies flavor the dish, while toasted pine nuts are an excellent final touch. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 31 Cacio e Pepe Getty Images Transport yourself to Italy with the classic Roman cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) pasta. Although cacio e pepe sounds and tastes fancy, it actually only requires five ingredients and 25 minutes of your time. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 31 Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta Caitlin Bensel Sherry vinegar and fresh tarragon balance out the richness of this creamy chicken and mushroom pasta. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 31 Linguine With Cherry Tomato Sauce Greg DuPree This simple cherry tomato sauce begins with rendered pancetta, which gives it a deep, meaty flavor. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 31 Lemony Spaghetti With Sardines and Bread Crumbs Greg DuPree Tinned fish fans will love this chic pasta recipe, which uses a tin of olive oil-packed sardines along with plenty of herbs and breadcrumbs. Sardines love lemon, so this recipe includes both lemon juice and zest. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 31 Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese Caitlin Bensel This creamy mac and cheese contains a generous amount of Swiss chard sautéed in butter for color and nutritional value. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 31 Speedy Linguine and Clam Sauce Greg DuPree Linguine with clams might sound complicated, but it couldn’t be easier thanks to canned clams and clam juice, which offer briny flavor with zero fuss. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 31 Spring Pasta Salad Caitlin Bensel On a spring day, this colorful pasta salad is just the thing to make. The vinaigrette includes shallot and Dijon mustard, and the pasta is studded with crisp-tender snap peas and radishes. GET THE RECIPE 8 Pasta Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Meal 21 of 31 Pasta With Bacon and Caramelized Cauliflower Greg DuPree There aren’t many ingredients in this recipe, but each one packs a punch. Cook the cauliflower in the leftover fat from cooking the bacon to deepen its flavor, and toss everything at the end with butter, Pecorino Romano, and reserved pasta water to make a silky sauce. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 31 Spicy Shrimp Scampi With Angel Hair Pasta Anna Williams Delicate, quick-cooking angel hair pasta goes well with tender, garlicky shrimp for an elegant dinner that’s ready in no time. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 31 Pasta with Mozzarella and Peppers Anna Williams This light pasta dish features fresh mozzarella plus arugula and red bell peppers for a refreshing meal. While it calls for short pasta, you can use whatever you have on hand, like penne or rigatoni. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 31 Tortellini With Sausage and Greens Fred Hardy The secret to this 25-minute pasta dish? Store-bought tortellini. Frozen or refrigerated tortellini can be whipped up in no time for nights you just don't feel like cooking. The pasta is tossed in a mix of cheesy sauce, greens, and savory hot Italian sausage for a delicious well-rounded weeknight meal. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 31 Spaghetti With Roasted Tomatoes and Herbs Lisa Hubbard This spaghetti recipe tastes like the sauce has been simmering all day, but you can make it in just 30 minutes (with only 10 minutes of hands-on time!). Toss some cherry tomatoes in olive oil and minced garlic, roast them in the oven, and mix it into the pasta with some herbs and shaved parmesan. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 31 Ravioli With Sautéed Zucchini Anna Williams For an easy pasta dish, try zucchini ravioli. You can use fresh or frozen ravioli, but you don't need to make them from scratch (unless you're feeling adventurous). Toss them in olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix in some thinly sliced zucchini. Top it with grated Parmesan for a perfect pasta dish. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 31 Linguine With Broccoli Mint Pesto Greg DuPree A special pesto is the star of this pasta dish, with broccoli florets and mint incorporated for an extra something special. Any pasta noodle can be subbed in here if you don't have linguine on hand or just prefer something else. But the toppings are what make it really sensational—additional fresh mint leaves, crunchy roasted almonds, shaved cheese, and flaky sea salt. Chef's kiss! GET THE RECIPE 28 of 31 Sicilian-Inspired Pasta With Sardines Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Looking to switch things up with your pasta? This Sicilian-inspired dish is bursting with flavor and couldn't be easier. It features fusilli pasta, briny sardines, golden raisins, crisp fennel, buttery pine nuts, and nutritious kale leaves. And that's not all; it's topped with a tangy vinaigrette made with anchovies, garlic, and lemon. The best part? You can have it warm, at room temperature, or even cold. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 31 Red Pesto Fettuccine Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Ready for a new weeknight pasta staple that is packed with umami and can be put together in less than 30 minutes? This red pesto fettuccine is not just easy, the sun-dried tomatoes (or oven-dried tomatoes, if you prefer) and walnuts uniquely flavor the sauce, which can be spread over the pasta of your choice (this recipe recommends fettuccine, but any pasta will do!) Top with a sprinkling of crushed walnuts and salty Parmesan for a tasty meal your whole family will love. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 31 Caprese Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart No pasta list would be complete without a beautiful Caprese dish! This recipe is so easy, and the best part is, several of the elements can be prepped in advance and then tossed together when you're ready to eat. It's also a versatile dish, as many of the elements (type of pasta, tomatoes, burrata, pine nuts, or basil) can be swapped out if you prefer something else. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 31 Orzo Pasta Salad With Shrimp Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart In just 30 minutes, you can make a delightful orzo pasta salad featuring succulent shrimp, crisp peas, and crunchy celery, all tossed in a lively dressing with mayo, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, and zesty lemon. Chopped dill pickles and fresh dill amplify the flavors, making it a perfect summer pasta salad. Whether served as a side at a barbecue or as the main dish alongside grilled veggies, this salad can be easily customized with finely chopped radishes or capers for extra bursts of flavor and texture. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit