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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Family Friendly Pasta Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 5, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy pasta recipes that the whole family will enjoy can be a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. These 21 family-friendly pasta dishes are perfect for getting dinner on the table without a lot of fuss. From creamy sauces to hearty veggie options, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    This creamy pesto pasta is quick and easy, needing just three ingredients and only 10 minutes to prepare. The bright flavors of the pesto combined with Greek yogurt create a comforting dish that you'll want to make again and again. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a delicious mix of diced chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Ranch dressing. This dish is great for summer and is sure to hit the spot when you're looking for something tasty. It's easy to whip up and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dinner is quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknights. It uses simple ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen already. With minimal effort, you can whip up a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Boursin Cheese Pasta

    Boursin Cheese Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Boursin Cheese Pasta is a simple and tasty dish that brings together creamy, herb-packed cheese with roasted tomatoes and pasta cooked just right. It's a lovely meal that's quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    A bowl of Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs is perfect for a quick meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. With pre-cooked homemade meatballs, this one-pan pasta dish comes together easily and quickly. It's a simple and satisfying option for busy weeknights.

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    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce is rich with flavors from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of dried herbs. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Lemon Garlic Pasta with Basil

    Lemon Garlic Pasta with Basil.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    Lemon garlic pasta with basil is a simple dish that combines fusilli pasta with a light and flavorful lemon garlic sauce. It's topped with fresh basil leaves, adding a nice touch of freshness. This meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying.

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    Italian Beef Cannelloni

    Italian Beef Cannelloni.
    Photo Credit: Craving Some Creativity.

    Italian Beef Cannelloni is a hearty dish topped with a rich red sauce and plenty of melted Mozzarella cheese. It's simple to prepare and a great way to use up leftover vegetables. This comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights and can easily be stored in the freezer for later.

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    Beefy Pasta Bake

    Beefy Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Bitz n Giggles.

    This dish features cheesy beef and noodles, all topped with crispy French fried onions. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a family favorite.

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    Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Peanut Butter & Julie.

    This Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh veggies, cheese, salami, and herbs, all mixed together with a tangy red wine vinaigrette. It works well as a side dish for gatherings, but it’s also hearty enough to be enjoyed as a main meal. Plus, it stores nicely in the fridge, making it a great option for easy leftovers.

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    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and completely plant-based. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. With simple ingredients and quick preparation, this meal is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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    Asparagus Pasta with Feta Cheese

    Asparagus Pasta with Feta Cheese.
    Photo Credit: 30 Days of Greek Food.

    Creamy asparagus pairs perfectly with pasta in this quick Mediterranean dish featuring feta cheese. In just 20 minutes, you can have a satisfying dinner that’s both easy to make and full of flavor. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This meal is great for busy weeknights when you need something quick and easy. With familiar flavors that everyone in the family enjoys, it’s a dinner that you can rely on time and again. It’s simple to prepare, making it a go-to option for those hectic evenings.

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    Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet

    Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet.
    Photo Credit: The Hungry Bluebird.

    This dish features a simple and cheesy skillet meal that combines seasoned ground beef with pasta shells in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. It brings back memories of childhood favorites while offering the comfort of a homemade meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dinner is satisfying and easy to prepare.

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    Coconut Milk Pasta

    Coconut milk pasta in a skillet.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    Coconut milk makes a simple tomato-based pasta sauce into something truly rich and delicious. You will not miss heavy cream after trying this easy recipe!

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    Creamy Taco Spaghetti

    Creamy Taco Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    Taco Spaghetti is a simple and satisfying dish that combines the flavors of Tex-Mex with pasta. It's creamy, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and delicious. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table, even the pickiest eaters, making it a great choice for family dinners.

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    Pasta Rosa

    20 Minute Pasta Rosa.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Penne pasta cooked just right is mixed with a simple tomato cream sauce and fresh baby spinach. It's topped off with grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some extra flavor. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying.

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    Beefy Mac and Cheese

    Beefy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Sanctuary.

    Beefy Mac and Cheese is a classic dish that brings together the best of both worlds. Creamy mac and cheese pairs perfectly with savory ground beef and a zesty tomato sauce, creating a satisfying meal. A little sour cream adds a nice touch, making this dish even more enjoyable. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and delicious.

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    Parmesan Garlic Linguine Pasta

    Parmesan Garlic Linguine Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Savory Experiments.

    Garlic Parmesan Linguine is a super simple dish that’s perfect for dinner. It’s quick to make, which is great for busy weeknights. Even if it’s not a traditional recipe, it’s delicious and satisfying.

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    Baked Anelletti

    Baked Anelletti.
    Photo Credit: Like Mother Like Daughter.

    A baked anelletti is a great option when you're craving a filling and cozy pasta meal. It's layered with a savory meat and tomato sauce, then topped with breadcrumbs and cheese before being baked until golden. This dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad is packed with shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, diced cheddar cheese, and a generous amount of creamy homemade ranch dressing. It's a simple dish that everyone will love, making it perfect for your next backyard barbecue.

    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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