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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Easy Pasta Recipes That Make Cooking Fun Again

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated January 20, 2026 · Published January 26, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Pasta is one of those comforting meals that can bring joy to any dinner table. With so many varieties and flavors, it's easy to create something special that everyone will love. Here are 17 pasta dishes that are sure to inspire your inner chef and make cooking feel exciting again.

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    A spoonful of cheesy tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This pasta dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for a comforting meal. It's the kind of cheesy goodness that you'll want to make again and again.

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    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon creme fraiche pasta in a pan.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta comes together in just 15 minutes, featuring crème fraîche, lemon, and chives for a fresh flavor. Whether you use fresh or frozen salmon, this dish is a light and satisfying option for any season.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

    Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups offer a fresh take on a beloved dish. They make for a quick and satisfying vegetarian meal, ideal for hectic weeknights.

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    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara is a simple and quick version of the traditional carbonara. With bacon, parmesan cheese, and a few easy ingredients, it's a tasty option for your weeknight dinners.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    15-minute cherry tomato pasta with spinach and walnuts in a black skillet and in a white bowl topped with burrata, all on a white table decorated with cherry tomatoes on a branch and basil leaves
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Cherry Tomato Pasta comes together in just 15 minutes. Adding mozzarella or burrata on top makes it even better!

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    This Coconut Lime Chicken & Pasta brings a fresh twist to your usual pasta nights. With a zesty coconut lime sauce, it's a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in about 30 minutes.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is super simple to make in just one dish, without any need for pre-cooking. With plenty of mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's a cheesy and easy meal that you'll love.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy carbonara is quick to make with simple ingredients you probably already have at home. It's a comforting dish that brings a taste of Italy to your table.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is a quick and tasty meal that comes together in just 20 minutes, including prep time. It's a light and fresh dish that showcases the great flavors of the vegetables without using heavy cream.

    Get the recipe

    Nduja Pasta

    Nduja Pasta.
    Photo credit: This Italian Kitchen.

    Nduja Pasta is a flavorful and easy dish that brings a taste of Italy to your table. With spicy nduja, a spreadable salami from Calabria, this meal is both satisfying and simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is super simple to prepare. It's a great way to enjoy a comforting meal that will remind you how fun cooking can be.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty meal that comes together in just 15 minutes. With tender shrimp, well-cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta is quick and easy to make in just 20 minutes. With creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of herbs, it's sure to be a hit with everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a simple and flavorful take on the classic Italian dish. It combines the rich creaminess of traditional Carbonara with tender, juicy shrimp.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cajun Alfredo Sauce brings a zesty twist to your regular pasta. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a tasty meal using either store-bought or homemade seasoning, with no chopping needed.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Spicy Sausage Pasta is a simple dish that comes together fast with just six ingredients. It packs a punch with fresh sausage, garlic, parmesan, and bacon, along with a touch of spinach to round it out.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Red wine chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta comes together in just 30 minutes and is always a hit. With rich flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, it makes for a simple yet satisfying dinner that you'll enjoy even more as leftovers.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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