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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Quick and Easy Pasta Dishes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 26, 2025, updated August 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Pasta is a go-to for quick weeknight meals, and there are so many easy ways to prepare it. From creamy sauces to fresh veggies, these 22 pasta dishes will help you whip up something delicious in no time. Whether you're in the mood for something light or hearty, there's a recipe here to satisfy your cravings.

    One-Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup

    A bowl of One-Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken tortellini soup is a comforting dish that warms you up from the inside out. It comes together quickly, taking just over 30 minutes to prepare. With its rich flavors, this soup is perfect for a cozy evening or when you need a fast and satisfying meal.

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    Lemon Salmon Pasta

    Lemon Salmon Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Lemon Salmon Pasta is simple to make, healthy, and really tasty. It's a great option for busy weeknights since you can have it ready in 30 minutes or less.

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    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

    Pasta with peas and pancetta.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    Pasta with pancetta and peas is a quick and simple dinner option that you can whip up in under 20 minutes. Crispy pancetta adds a nice flavor, and when combined with green peas and orecchiette pasta, it creates a satisfying meal. Topped off with some grated parmesan cheese, this dish is both delicious and easy to prepare.

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    Spinach Lemon Orzo

    Spinach Lemon Orzo.
    Photo credit: Barley and Sage.

    One-pan creamy spinach lemon orzo is a quick and simple meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. It features fresh spinach, zesty lemon, and basil all mixed in a creamy sauce. This dish is perfect for a light dinner on its own or as an easy side to complement your main course.

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    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini.
    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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    Penne Pomodoro

    Penne Pomodoro.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Penne Pomodoro is a classic Italian dish that’s simple to prepare and packed with flavor. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip this up in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. It's a satisfying meal that brings a taste of Italy to your dinner table without taking up too much time.

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    Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta

    Garlic parmesan chicken and pasta.
    Photo Credit: Deliciously Homecooked.

    Creamy Garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is a simple dish that’s full of flavor and great for any night of the week. It features tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta mixed in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table and might even have them asking for more.

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    A creamy and tasty tuna pasta bake comes together easily with canned tuna, mozzarella cheese, and a few other simple ingredients. It's a comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Cacio E Pepe Pasta

    Cacio E Pepe Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This simple pasta dish comes together with just five ingredients, including fresh pepper and two types of cheese: pecorino and Parmigiano. It’s quick to prepare, so you can have dinner ready in 15 minutes or less. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal is both satisfying and easy to make.

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    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This dish combines fresh asparagus, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed together in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a quick meal during the busy week. This is a great option for spring and summer, bringing together bright flavors and satisfying ingredients.

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    Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta

    Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    This Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta is a simple and delicious dish that you'll want to make again and again. It's rich and satisfying, yet quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights. After just one taste, you'll understand why it's become a favorite in my kitchen. It's so good, I've already made it twice this week!

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    Hummus Pasta

    Hummus Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Occasionally Eggs.

    This easy hummus pasta is perfect for a quick plant-based dinner that you can whip up in no time. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it a flexible option for busy weeknights. It's a simple dish that doesn't require much work, yet it's satisfying and delicious.

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    Tomato and Ricotta Pasta

    Tomato and Ricotta Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Green Bowl 2 Soul.

    Tomato and ricotta pasta is a quick and easy vegetarian dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes with only a few ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. This meal is sure to make your dinner routine simpler and more enjoyable.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to whip up a delicious pasta sauce without spending hours in the kitchen. It combines all the classic flavors of a traditional bolognese, but you can make it quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

    Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup.
    Photo Credit: Curry Trail.

    This creamy tomato tortellini soup comes together in just 20 minutes. It's a warm and comforting vegetarian dish featuring cheese tortellini, canned tomatoes, fresh herbs, and spinach. Top it off with some parmesan cheese and enjoy it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal on chilly nights.

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    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    A bowl of chicken pesto pasta salad.
    Photo Credit: Frozen Bananas.

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is quick to prepare and really tasty. It comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, this dish is a great option for a satisfying meal.

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    Creamy Italian Meatball Soup

    Creamy Italian meatball soup with fresh herbs.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy Italian meatball soup recipe comes together in one pot and is loaded with juicy meatballs and al dente pasta nestled in an herb-filled creamy tomato broth.

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    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A creamy tomato sauce with a kick, combined with crispy bacon, creates a delicious dish that's hard to resist. This meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a simple yet flavorful option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    This easy pasta dish features a simple tahini sauce that highlights the rich flavor of tahini. With just a handful of ingredients, it comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. This is a satisfying meal that doesn’t require much effort, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Beef and Shells

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells
    Photo Credit: Earing In An Instant.

    This simple one-pot dish combines ground beef and pasta into a creamy and cheesy meal. 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 comforting dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Vegan Spinach Pasta

    Vegan spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    A tasty pasta dish can be made without any dairy, and this vegan recipe shows you how to do it. It's simple and quick, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy a hearty meal that everyone will love, all while keeping it plant-based.

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    Italian Cold Spaghetti Salad With Shrimp

    Italian Cold Spaghetti Salad With Shrimp.
    Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

    This cold spaghetti salad is a refreshing dish that hails from the Marche region of Central Italy. It features pre-cooked shrimp, peppery arugula, and juicy cherry tomatoes mixed with spaghetti, all brought together with a light olive oil and vinegar dressing. It's a great option for a quick lunch, a picnic, or gatherings like buffets and potlucks.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Creamy crockpot tortellini.
      19 One-Dish Crockpot Meals That Simplify Mealtime
    • Crock pot Hawaiian chicken.
      22 Set It and Forget It Chicken Recipes for Busy Evenings
    • Spicy sausage pasta.
      18 Easy Meals for Hot Summer Nights
    • Chicken drumsticks & potatoes.
      23 Easy Sheet Pan Meals for Busy Families

    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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