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    Home » Pasta

    25 Fast and Easy Pasta Dinners for Your Busiest Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 11, 2025 · Published January 13, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    These 25 pasta dinners are quick and easy to make, perfect for those busy nights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With simple ingredients and straightforward recipes, you can whip up a delicious pasta dish in no time, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pasta in a spicy, creamy tomato sauce with crispy bacon is a great choice for a quick meal. This dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making it ideal for busy nights. It's satisfying and can be ready in no time, perfect for when you need something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Veggie Pesto Pasta

    A serving of veggie pesto pasta chicken.
    Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

    This pasta dish is ideal for days when you're short on time but still want something tasty. It comes together quickly and is full of flavor, making it a great choice for a satisfying meal.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in no time. It features ingredients like crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and some dried herbs, making it a great option for busy nights. This meal is satisfying and easy to prepare, perfect for when you need something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Curry Pasta

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

    Creamy curry pasta is a quick and flavorful dish that you can whip up in just 35 minutes. It's filling and can be adjusted to include your favorite proteins and vegetables, making it a versatile option. This is a great choice for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is quick to make with only four ingredients and a few items from the store. You can whip it up in just 5 minutes and have it served in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something simple and satisfying.

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    Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

    Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta.
    Photo credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    Bang bang shrimp pasta combines sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors in a delightful dish. It includes fettuccine and shrimp that are seared to perfection, all mixed together with a zesty sriracha and chili sauce. This is a quick and satisfying meal that brings a burst of flavor to your dinner table.

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    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A tasty carbonara pasta can be made that stands up to the classic version. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and filling.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This casserole is simple to make and packed with cheese, perfect for busy nights when you need a quick meal. It's a filling dish that everyone will love.

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    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner comes together quickly with just five ingredients and only one pot. You can have it on the table in less than 12 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights. It's a simple meal that doesn't require much effort, so you can enjoy a tasty dish without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Red wine chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy Chicken Pasta is a quick meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It features the delicious combination of red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, making it a filling choice for hectic days. This dish is perfect when you need something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Matsutake Pasta with Miso Butter

    Matsutake Pasta with Miso Butter.
    Photo credit: The Sage Apron.

    Matsutake mushrooms, often called pine mushrooms, take center stage in this straightforward dish that uses only five ingredients. It's a simple choice for a quick meal when you're short on time.

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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 simple and tasty dinner option. The creamy sauce is packed with flavor from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of dried herbs. This dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

    A bowl of fried spaghetti with green curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines Thai curry with spaghetti for a tasty meal. It's perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something quick and filling.

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    Spicy Mac and Cheese

    Spicy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: Sice Cravings.

    This pasta dish is quick to whip up and packs a spicy punch. With plenty of cheese, jalapeños, and Indian spices, it's perfect for a fast and tasty meal. You can make it on the stove or in an Instant Pot, making it a flexible option for busy nights.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Buffalo chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a simple and tasty dinner choice. It brings together spicy sauce, zesty blue cheese, pasta, and chicken for a filling meal. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

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

    Cheeseburger macaroni is a quick and satisfying dish that's great for a busy weeknight. It combines tender pasta, flavorful ground beef, and gooey cheese, all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese

    Creamy feta cheese chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Feta cheese adds a nice flavor to this creamy chicken pasta. It's an easy dish that works well for a quick dinner.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese create a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy nights. This dish is quick to prepare, making it a great choice when you're pressed for time. Enjoy a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is packed with vegetables and is quick to make. It's a healthier option that works well for a busy evening. You can whip it up in no time, making it a great choice for dinner when you're short on time.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in less than half an hour. With just 15 minutes needed for prep and cooking, it's perfect for busy nights. This dish is loaded with vegetables and flavor, and it can be enjoyed warm or cold. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, making it even more convenient.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is really easy to make and is great for busy nights when you need something quick and filling. It comes together in no time, making it a perfect choice for those evenings when you don't have much time to cook. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

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

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with spinach and walnuts is a simple dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. Tossing in some mozzarella or burrata adds a nice touch, making it a tasty choice for busy days. This meal is perfect when you need something quick but still want to enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce has a bit of a kick to it. It uses common spices and ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, making it budget-friendly.

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    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish comes together quickly and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. It's ideal for busy nights when you want a filling meal without spending hours cooking. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious dinner that won't take much time at all.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. This dish is light and full of flavor, and you can use fresh or frozen salmon, so it's easy to enjoy any time of the year.

    Get the recipe

    More Pasta Recipes

    • A spoonful of company casserole being lifted out of a pan full.
      17 Delicious Pasta Dishes Made with Just a Handful of Ingredients
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      26 Lazy Pasta Dinners for Nights You’re Completely Exhausted
    • Cajun Alfredo pasta.
      31 Pasta Dishes That Are Faster to Make Than Ordering In
    • Cheeseburger macaroni.
      15 Protein-Packed Power Pasta Dinners to Keep You Going

    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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