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    Home » Pasta

    26 Elegant Pasta Recipes That Don’t Take All Night to Make

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated November 30, 2025 · Published November 30, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 26 elegant pasta recipes are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. From creamy sauces to fresh vegetables, each dish brings a touch of sophistication while keeping preparation simple. Enjoy a delicious meal that feels special without the long cooking time.

    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish features a zesty tomato sauce paired with crispy bacon, adding a nice kick to the flavors. It's an easy and classy meal that works well for any gathering or dinner at home.

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    Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

    Cherry tomato pasta.
    Photo credit: It's Not Complicated Recipes.

    Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta features perfectly cooked pasta tossed with delicious roasted tomatoes, creating a satisfying meal. It's easy to whip up and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

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    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

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

    In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a delicious dinner with crispy pancetta, green peas, orecchiette pasta, and grated parmesan cheese. This dish is simple to prepare and has a nice presentation, making it a great choice for impressing friends or family.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    Creamy Chicken Pasta comes together in just 30 minutes and is full of delicious flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme. This dish is easy to prepare and has a touch of elegance, making it perfect for dinner. Plus, it tastes even better the next day, so it's great for leftovers.

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    Mediterranean Lasagna

    Mediterranean Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Mediterranean lasagna combines creamy feta cheese sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, and herbs. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner that feels a bit fancy but is still easy to prepare. It's a great way to enjoy a flavorful meal without spending all night in the kitchen.

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    Beet Pasta

    Beet Pasta.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Stories.

    A simple beet sauce can really elevate your pasta dish. Combining beets, creme fraiche, feta, onion, and garlic, it creates a smooth and flavorful sauce that pairs nicely with any type of pasta. This is a great way to add a unique twist to your meal without spending all evening in the kitchen.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a simple yet elegant meal that you'll want to make again and again. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe brings a touch of sophistication to your dinner table without taking all evening to cook.

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    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is a tasty dish that blends spicy and creamy flavors, making it a great choice for impressing friends and family. It's simple to prepare, and if you want, you can skip the vodka altogether.

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    Shrimp Ceviche Pasta Salad

    Shrimp Ceviche Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: The Foodolic.

    Shrimp Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines shrimp marinated in lemon with colorful peppers and onions, adding a bit of spice. It uses either quinoa pasta or regular pasta, making it versatile and satisfying. Finished off with fresh cilantro, this salad is perfect for a quick and enjoyable meal.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy dish packed with flavors from ingredients like crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's easy to whip up and doesn't require much prep time, making it perfect for a cozy dinner. This dish brings together a delightful mix of tastes that everyone will enjoy.

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    Seafood Pasta Bake

    Baked seafood pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Seafood pasta casserole combines creamy and cheesy flavors, making it a fantastic option for a special dinner at home. This dish is both simple to prepare and elegant, ensuring that everyone at the table will appreciate it.

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    Greek Pasta

    Greek Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Greek Pasta combines soft noodles with fresh Mediterranean veggies, all mixed together in a creamy feta and herb sauce. It's a straightforward yet classy dish that works well for any meal. This recipe is quick to prepare, making it a great choice for busy nights when you still want something special.

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    Lobster & Scallop Pasta

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Lobster and scallop pasta is a great choice for a special dinner at home. This dish is packed with seafood and features a zesty lemon garlic wine sauce that adds a nice touch. It's perfect for anyone looking to impress without spending all night in the kitchen.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish brings together spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese for a filling meal. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something simple but still a bit special.

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    Steak Fajita Pasta

    Steak Fajita Pasta.
    Photo credit: Out Grilling.

    Steak Fajita Pasta combines tender grilled steak with creamy pasta that has a fajita twist, along with vibrant grilled vegetables. This dish is perfect for gatherings, allowing you to serve a delicious meal without spending hours cooking. It's a simple yet satisfying option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vegetarian halloumi pasta is easy to whip up and packed with fresh vegetables. It's a light and refreshing dish that's perfect for dinner, highlighting the bright flavors of the veggies.

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    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    This dinner comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a busy evening. The creamy sauce blends crème fraîche with sun-dried tomatoes and a mix of dried herbs, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.

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    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

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

    This simple pasta dish uses only 7 ingredients and can be on your table in 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy nights. It's vegetarian, but you can easily switch it to vegan or add chicken if you want something heartier.

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    Lobster Ravioli

    Lobster Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta dish combines soft cheese ravioli with a rich garlic and white wine sauce, along with delicious lobster meat. It's perfect for a special dinner at home when you want something fancy without spending all night in the kitchen.

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    Halloumi Carbonara

    A bowl of halloumi carbonara.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegetarian carbonara offers a twist on the classic by using halloumi instead of bacon. It's a straightforward and classy pasta dish that's sure to please everyone at the table. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe brings a touch of elegance without requiring hours in the kitchen.

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    Turkey RagĂą

    Easy Turkey RagĂą Recipe
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    Turkey ragĂą is a go-to meal in our home. It's a simple yet delicious pasta dish that can be whipped up in no time, making it perfect for any occasion.

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    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad features orzo pasta mixed with grape tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. It's a simple and tasty option for picnics or gatherings. This dish is perfect when you want something light and refreshing without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Crockpot Tortellini

    A bowl filled with Creamy Crockpot Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    This pasta dish is perfect for anyone who loves easy and tasty meals. Using frozen tortellini and a creamy sauce, it's a quick option that will impress your guests and have them coming back for more.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Creamy steak and mushroom pasta baked into a cheesy casserole is a comforting and classy dinner choice. It's quick to prepare, taking only 45 minutes, and you can make it all in one oven-safe skillet, which means less cleanup afterward.

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    Penne Pomodoro

    20 Minute Penne Pomodoro.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta dish combines canned tomatoes, fresh herbs, and penne pasta for a delicious vegetarian meal. It's easy to whip up and perfect for a filling dinner.

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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 simple and delicious way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. It speeds up the traditional slow-cooking method, allowing you to whip up a satisfying meal with common ingredients. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe brings comfort food to your table in no time.

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    More Pasta Recipes

    • Brie mac and cheese.
      Brie Mac and Cheese
    • Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
      Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole With Walnuts
    • Buffalo mac and cheese.
      Buffalo Mac and Cheese
    • A scoop of no baked ziti.
      15 Effortless Pasta Dishes You Can Just Dump and Bake

    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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