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    Home » Pasta

    17 Delicious Pasta Dishes Made with Just a Handful of Ingredients

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 11, 2025 · Published January 10, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Pasta is a go-to meal for many, and it doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create flavorful dishes that are satisfying and easy to make. Here are 17 pasta recipes that pack a punch without requiring a long list of items.

    Crab Pasta

    Crab Pasta
    Photo Credit: Caroline's Cooking.

    This crab pasta is easy to make and full of fresh flavors that will fill you up. It's a great option for a quick and delicious meal.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple dinner that comes together in just 10 minutes with only three ingredients. The mix of bright pesto and Greek yogurt makes for a comforting meal that you'll want to make again and again.

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    Sausage Asparagus Pasta Bake

    Sausage Asparagus Pasta Bake
    Photo Credit: Buy This Cook That.

    This pasta bake uses only five easy ingredients. Asparagus and sweet Italian sausage combine for a tasty and healthy dish.

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    Brown Butter + Sage Chicken Penne Pasta

    Brown Butter + Sage Chicken Penne Pasta
    Photo Credit: Buy This Cook That.

    This simple pasta dish combines the rich flavors of brown butter and sage, making it a great choice for any night. It's easy to prepare and perfect for enjoying over and over.

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    Quick Alfredo Pasta

    Quick Alfredo Pasta Recipe
    Photo Credit: Longbourn Farm.

    This creamy alfredo pasta is perfect for busy evenings. It's ready in just 20 minutes and requires very little effort.

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    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Making a great dinner can be simple and quick. With just 5 easy ingredients and one pot, you can whip up a tasty meal in only 12 minutes.

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    Pesto Chicken Pasta

    Pesto Chicken Pasta
    Photo Credit: The Toasty Kitchen.

    Pesto Chicken Pasta is an easy dish that uses just 5 simple ingredients. It combines bow-tie pasta and chicken with a flavorful pesto sauce for a filling meal.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in just 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Company Casserole

    Company Casserole (Ground Beef Pasta Casserole)
    Photo Credit: Neighbor Food Blog.

    Company Casserole combines ground beef and pasta in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. It's easy to prepare and loved by both kids and adults, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or gatherings.

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    No Cream Italian Herb Pasta

    No Cream Italian Herb Pasta
    Photo Credit: Sprinkles and Sprouts.

    Enjoy a delicious pasta dish with a light sauce that goes great with grilled meats, roasts, or fried foods. This simple meal is also perfect on its own for an easy dinner.

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    Red Pesto Pasta With Prawns

    Red pesto pasta with prawns on a black plate.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    This quick and easy Red Pesto Pasta with Prawns is ready in just 15 minutes. With only 5 ingredients, it's a simple and delicious meal that everyone will love.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is easy to make, cheesy, and really delicious. It's a great choice for a cozy night in.

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    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce gets a nice boost with some store-bought Cajun seasoning, making it easy to switch things up. If you want to create your own seasoning, just know you'll need a few more ingredients than the basic ones.

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Pasta

    5-Ingredient Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Girl Gone Gourmet.

    This pasta with sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce is a quick and easy meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Easy, Cheesy 5-Ingredient Pizza Pasta Bake
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This speedy pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy nights. Just combine everything in the pan and bake it in no time.

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    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This Mexican Lasagna is made with ravioli, allowing you to create delicious layers without the need to thaw them first. It's a great option for busy nights since you can just layer everything and pop it in the oven.

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    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This classic Italian pasta dish is simple to prepare and uses just a handful of basic ingredients. It's perfect for a quick meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    More Pasta Recipes

    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      26 Lazy Pasta Dinners for Nights You’re Completely Exhausted
    • Cajun Alfredo pasta.
      31 Pasta Dishes That Are Faster to Make Than Ordering In
    • Cheeseburger macaroni.
      15 Protein-Packed Power Pasta Dinners to Keep You Going
    • Pasta with pancetta and peas.
      17 Easy 20-Minute Pasta Dinners You’ll Crave Every Week

    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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