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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Quick and Easy Pasta Dinners for the Whole Family

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 17, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Pasta is a go-to meal for families, offering a variety of flavors and textures that everyone can enjoy. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up quick and satisfying dinners that please both kids and adults. Here are 21 easy pasta recipes that will make weeknight cooking a breeze.

    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Sausage

    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Sausage on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Copy Kat Recipes.

    This Instant Pot Spaghetti and Sausage recipe is a great choice for anyone who enjoys hearty Italian flavors and wants a quick, easy meal. It's a one-pot dish that comes together in no time, making it ideal for busy weeknights. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli

    Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Ground Turkey and Broccoli Pasta is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying. This dish combines lean ground turkey with fresh broccoli and pasta, creating a meal that’s both healthy and full of flavor. It’s perfect for those evenings when you need to whip up dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Cheesy Taco Pasta

    Cheesy Taco Pasta.
    Photo Credit: 24 Bite.

    Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick and comforting dish that brings back memories of classic Hamburger Helper. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a meal that the whole family will enjoy. This pasta combines cheesy goodness with taco flavors, making it a satisfying option for busy weeknights.

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    Lemon Broccoli Pasta

    Lemon Broccoli Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Occasionally Eggs.

    This broccoli pasta is a simple and quick one-pot meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. It features a light lemon sauce that adds a refreshing touch, and the broccoli cooks right in the pasta water, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also satisfying, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    One Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Dried spaghetti cooks right in a mix of ground beef, jarred sauce, and water, making this dinner super simple with just one pot to clean up afterward. The starch from the pasta blends into the sauce, creating a rich and thick sauce that clings to each strand of spaghetti. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Mushroom sweet corn pasta combines the rich flavors of mushrooms with the sweetness of charred corn, all brought together in a light cream sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and can be ready in just half an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It's a satisfying meatless option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    Dutch oven with Cheeseburger Macaroni.
    Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    Cheeseburger macaroni is a simple and satisfying dinner option for busy weeknights. It features soft pasta mixed with seasoned ground beef and topped with gooey melted cheese. This dish is full of flavor and can be prepared in just one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Black Bean Pasta

    Black Bean Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    This Black Bean Pasta is a simple dish that comes together in just about 15 minutes with only 5 ingredients. You can prepare it on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or using a pressure cooker. It's a comforting meal with a bit of spice and plenty of cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Vegan Creamy Tahini Pasta

    Vegan Creamy Tahini Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    Vegan Creamy Tahini Pasta is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The tahini gives it a nice nutty flavor, while the lemon adds a refreshing touch. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and can be topped with parsley for a little extra flair.

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    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This simple dinner comes together in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It's vegetarian as is, but you can easily make it vegan or add chicken if you prefer a meatier option. With only seven ingredients, it’s quick to prepare and satisfying.

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    15 Minute Creamy Tomato Pasta

    Pasta with creamy tomato sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A creamy sun-dried tomato sauce wraps around perfectly cooked noodles and seasoned chickpeas, providing a satisfying meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. This dish is a great way to ensure your family gets the protein they need while enjoying a comforting dinner. It's simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight, making it a go-to option for those hectic evenings.

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    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta

    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    This creamy beef pasta is a delicious take on a classic dish, packed with fresh flavors. It’s a one-pan meal that uses simple ingredients and can be ready in just 30 minutes. This is a great option for busy weeknights and is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

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    Ricotta Pesto Pasta

    Ricotta Pesto Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    This 20-minute ricotta pesto pasta is a great vegetarian option for a cozy dinner. It features a creamy sauce packed with garlic and herbs, making it really flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying meal in no time.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make this flavor-packed Marry Me Chicken Pasta in just 20 minutes - and don't be surprised if everyone asks for seconds (or your hand in marriage!). It's a super creamy sauce with a delicious flavor combo of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika & oregano. All achieved with pantry staple dried herbs & minimal prep.

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    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a delicious take on carbonara that packs in even more flavor than the traditional version. It's a quick and easy dish that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight schedule. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

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    Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

    CHEESY KIELBASA PASTA.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    This cheesy pasta dish combines simple ingredients like pasta and kielbasa for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few steps, you can have a hearty dinner ready in no time.

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    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan chicken bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish that’s packed with flavor. It combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach with pasta in a rich sauce made from coconut milk and cheese. This is a good dinner option for busy nights or a relaxing weekend meal.

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Sundried tomato chicken sauce with penne pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta is a creamy and satisfying meal that's perfect for a quick dinner. This dish is packed with flavor and can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It's an easy way to enjoy a delicious pasta dish without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This tortellini dish is quick and packed with flavor, featuring a mix of lemon, garlic, basil, and olive oil. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just toss everything together in a skillet for a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, taking only 20 minutes to prepare. The creamy and tangy tahini sauce adds a delicious nutty flavor that really brings the dish together. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Ground Turkey Pasta

    Ground Turkey Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

    This gluten-free ground turkey pasta is a quick and tasty dish that combines tomato sauce, lean protein, and flavorful seasonings. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Effortless Chicken Dinners That Cook While You Relax

    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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