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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Simple Pasta Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 23, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Pasta is a go-to meal for busy weeknights, offering quick and satisfying options for everyone. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a variety of dishes that are both simple and delicious. Here are 23 easy pasta recipes that will help you get dinner on the table in no time.

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This cozy meal comes together in just 5 minutes of prep, making it a great choice for busy weeknights. It's the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug, perfect for when you want something comforting and satisfying. Easy to prepare, this pasta dinner is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Pesto Pasta Bake with Hidden Veg

    Pesto Pasta Bake with Hidden Veg.
    Photo Credit: Thinly Spread.

    Pesto Pasta Bake features a tasty homemade vegan basil pesto that brings a fresh and zesty flavor to the dish. Packed with a generous amount of spinach, it’s a great way to sneak in some greens. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple yet satisfying.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese come together in this delicious dinner. It's a simple meal that packs a lot of flavor and is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up something satisfying that everyone will enjoy.

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    Bruschetta Pasta Salad

    Bruschetta Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Walder Wellness.

    Cold bruschetta pasta salad combines juicy cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and fresh basil for a refreshing dish. The addition of homemade sourdough breadcrumbs gives it a nice crunch and a flavor reminiscent of classic bruschetta. This salad is perfect for a dinner party, a barbecue, or even as a tasty packed lunch.

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    Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoni

    Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoni.
    Photo Credit: Three Olives Branch.

    This Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoni is a simple dish that's great for summer BBQs. It's loaded with tasty ingredients like olives, pepperoncini, onion, and pepperoni, all mixed together in a light and creamy dressing. This salad is not only easy to make but also a crowd-pleaser, making it a perfect addition to any gathering.

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    Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing

    Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing is a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for summer gatherings or potlucks. This pasta salad is simple to prepare and can be customized with a variety of delicious ingredients. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something light and satisfying.

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    Sopa De Fideo Con Carne Mexican Noodles

    Sopa De Fideo Con Carne Mexican Noodles.
    Photo Credit: 24 Bite.

    Sopa De Fideo Con Carne is a classic Mexican dish featuring toasted noodles simmered in a rich tomato broth. This comforting meal brings back memories of childhood for many in Mexico. It's a simple and satisfying option that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight.

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    One Pan Fajita Pasta

    One Pan Fajita Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    One Pan Fajita Pasta combines pasta with classic fajita flavors like tomatoes, ground beef, and cheese. It’s a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and only requires one pan, making cleanup a breeze. In under 30 minutes, you can have a satisfying meal ready, perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

    Summer Pesto Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Pesto pasta salad is a go-to dish for summer. This cold tri-color rotini salad, tossed with pesto, tomatoes, and olives, is perfect for a light lunch or as a side. It’s made with mostly affordable pantry ingredients, making it easy on the wallet. With a mix of Italian and American flavors, it pairs well with BBQ, roasts, grilled chicken, seafood, sandwiches, and soup.

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    Broccoli Pasta Salad

    Broccoli Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Mommy Evolution.

    Broccoli Pasta Salad is a colorful and tasty dish that combines soft pasta with crunchy broccoli and a mix of fresh ingredients. It's all brought together with a creamy and zesty dressing that adds a nice kick. This salad is perfect for a quick meal or a side dish, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

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    Cheese Tortellini Bake

    Cheese Tortellini Bake
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish comes together in just 20 minutes and requires only a handful of ingredients, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want a filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen. You can enjoy a hearty vegetarian option that doesn't take much effort to prepare.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip the step of boiling the pasta, which saves time and effort. As it bakes, a creamy sauce develops that adds a delicious touch to the dish.

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    Easy Tuna Pasta with Mayo

    Easy Tuna Pasta with Mayo.
    Photo Credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    This Easy Tuna Pasta with Mayo is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in under 30 minutes. With creamy mayo, fresh capsicum peppers, red onions, and pasta, it’s simple yet satisfying. It works well as a main course or a side dish for dinner.

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    Lemon Garlic Pasta

    A plate of lemon garlic pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar.

    One-pan lemon garlic pasta, or Pasta al Limone, is a tasty dish that's simple to whip up for a weeknight meal when you're pressed for time. With its bright lemon flavor and garlic aroma, this pasta is satisfying and quick to make. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending too long in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Noodle Casserole

    A plate of chicken noodle casserole.
    Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting dish packed with chicken, veggies, and egg noodles, all brought together with a creamy sauce. It's an easy meal that won't break the bank and can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, you can tweak it to include whatever you like or need to use up. Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole is a simple way to get a hearty dinner on the table.

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    Tortellini with Ham and Peas

    Tortellini with ham and peas on a plate.
    Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

    This pasta dish is a favorite in Italy and is simple to prepare. It's a hit with both kids and adults, making it a great option for lunch or a light dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe comes together quickly and easily.

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    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    This pasta dish is simple and comforting, taking just 10 minutes to prepare while the slow cooker handles the rest. It’s full of rich flavors and features tender penne pasta, making it a great choice for a filling family dinner during the week.

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    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese

    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    One Pot Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese is a quick and simple meal that you can whip up in about 20 minutes using real ingredients. This vegetarian dish offers a fun twist on a classic favorite, making it a great choice for busy weeknights. Your family will enjoy this tasty and satisfying dinner that’s easy to prepare.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish combines a creamy steak and mushroom pasta with a cheesy casserole. The result is a delicious, cozy yet elegant, dinner done in just 45 minutes. Make it in an oven-safe skillet for a one-pan meal that will save you dishes!

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great option for busy weeknights. It's quick to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying meal. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata cheese on top takes it to the next level.

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    Creamy Silken Tofu Tomato Pasta

    Creamy Silken Tofu Tomato Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Avocado Skillet.

    This creamy tomato pasta sauce is a simple and healthy option for busy weeknights. Made with silken tofu, it’s not only vegan but also loaded with protein. It’s a quick way to whip up a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake

    Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake brings together the comforting tastes of Swedish meatballs and pasta, all baked together for a hearty meal. This dish is served warm and is perfect for family dinners. It combines classic flavors with a cozy baked twist, making it a satisfying option for any night of the week.

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    No-Boil Pasta Bake

    No-Boil Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian No-Boil Pasta Bake is simple to prepare and perfect for a busy weeknight. It uses common ingredients you probably already have, like store-bought spaghetti sauce, dried spices, and boxed noodles. With a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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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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