• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Lifesaver Pasta Dinners With Just a Few Ingredients

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 30, 2025, updated May 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Pasta is a go-to for quick and easy meals, especially when you want something satisfying without a long list of ingredients. With just a few staples, you can whip up 24 different pasta dinners that are both simple and delicious. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to keep things light and easy in the kitchen.

    Black Bean Pasta

    Black Bean Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    This Black Bean Pasta is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in just 15 minutes with only 5 ingredients. It's a comforting meal that's a bit spicy, cheesy, and really tasty!

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the Recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to make. With just a few ingredients, it's perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Penne with Zucchini

    Penne with Zucchini.
    Photo Credit: The Herbeevore.

    Penne with zucchini is a light and fresh pasta dish that combines olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a simple sauce. It’s a tasty option for a main course or side dish, and you can have it ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the Recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is fast and simple to prepare, using everyday ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store. It's perfect for a quick meal when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and easy dish that combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: Savory Experiments.

    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs offers the deliciousness of a homemade pasta meal in just 10 minutes. It's a quick and easy option for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and tasty take on the classic Italian pasta dish. It combines the creamy goodness of traditional Carbonara with perfectly cooked shrimp, making it a satisfying meal for seafood and pasta lovers.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be quick and easy with just a few ingredients and one pot. This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want something simple.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Pesto Pasta

    Tuna Pesto Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Nibble and Dime.

    This tuna pesto pasta comes together in just about 20 minutes. With canned tuna, grape tomatoes, pesto, and a bit of lemon mixed with pasta, it’s a filling meal for a busy weeknight.

    Get the Recipe

    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 all about keeping it simple while still being tasty. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Butter Pasta

    Lemon Butter Pasta (Pasta al Limone).
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Lemon butter pasta is a simple dish that brings a touch of elegance to your meal. With just a few ingredients like lemon, garlic, and Parmesan, it offers a bright and flavorful experience that's perfect for any night.

    Get the Recipe

    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for cheese and pasta fans. With a mix of two cheeses, a bit of tang from Gorgonzola, and a nice crunch from walnuts, it comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and uses ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something simple and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    This creamy pesto pasta is quick to make with just three ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to cook. The bright pesto sauce combined with Greek yogurt creates a simple and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Pasta

    One-Pot Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Greek Foodie.

    This easy one-pot pasta features cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, onion, and olive oil. It all cooks together in one pan, creating a delicious sauce in just about 25 minutes, with creamy buffalo mozzarella added at the end.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is simple and satisfying, perfect for a cozy meal. With just a few ingredients, it brings comfort and flavor to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Curry Pasta

    Creamy Curry Pasta.
    Photo credit: Plantbased on a Budget.

    This creamy curry pasta is an easy 35-minute fusion dinner loaded with flavor. It's so satisfying and easily customizable with your favorite protein and veggies, and a great go-to for busy weeknights!

    Get the recipe

    Easy Tuna Pasta with Mayo

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

    This Easy Tuna Pasta with Mayo is quick to prepare and packed with flavor. It comes together in under 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients like creamy mayo, fresh peppers, red onions, and pasta, making it a great option for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This tortellini dish is easy to make and packed with flavor. It's tossed in a skillet with lemon, garlic, basil, and olive oil for a quick and tasty meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Pesto Chicken Tortellini

    Pesto Chicken Tortellini.
    Photo Credit; The Peasant's Daughter.

    Pesto chicken tortellini is a creamy one-pot meal that brings together chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and a flavorful pesto sauce. It's a quick and satisfying dinner option that can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    One-Pot Creamy Kielbasa Pasta

    One-Pot Creamy Kielbasa Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Deliciously Homecooked.

    One-pot creamy kielbasa pasta is a quick and tasty meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. With just penne pasta and flavorful kielbasa sausage, it's one of the simplest and most satisfying pasta dishes you can prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    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 lemon and garlic sauce. It's finished off with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor.

    Get the Recipe

    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’s fresh and zesty. It also includes a generous amount of spinach, making it a great choice for anyone looking to add some greens to their meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce has a spicy kick that adds a fun twist to the classic recipe. With just a few common seasonings you likely have in your pantry, it’s an easy and budget-friendly choice.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken pasta salad.
      21 Best Pasta Salads to Make for Lunch
    • Tuscan chicken bake.
      20 Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas for Busy Families
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      23 Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Busy Summer Days
    • Zucchini casserole.
      20 Delicious Summer Casseroles You Can Make Ahead

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef

    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach

    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]

    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Homemade chili hot dog sauce.
      14 Ground Beef Recipes That Were Made for Summer

    • Sheet pan shrimp boil.
      18 Easy Dump-and-Go Dinners for Stress-Free Cooking

    • Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
      28 Dump-and-Bake Recipes Perfect for Large Gatherings

    • Creamy curry pasta.
      24 Lifesaver Pasta Dinners With Just a Few Ingredients

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB