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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    31 Easy Pasta Meals That Are Faster Than Delivery

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 13, 2024, updated December 17, 2024 - 1 Comment

    Pasta is one of the easiest and quickest meals to whip up, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create satisfying dishes that are ready faster than waiting for takeout. From classic spaghetti to creamy fettuccine, these simple pasta recipes will have you enjoying a homemade meal in no time.

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese for a tasty meal that's quick to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

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    Spinach Lemon Orzo

    Spinach Lemon Orzo.
    Photo credit: Barley and Sage.

    Creamy spinach lemon orzo is a quick dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. With fresh spinach, lemon zest, and basil in a creamy sauce, it’s great for a light weeknight dinner or as a simple side.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and delicious dish that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. This dish is creamy and features tender shrimp for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Fried Green Curry Spaghetti

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

    Thai curry spaghetti is a delicious mix of flavors that you'll want to enjoy often. It's a quick and satisfying meal that brings a unique twist to your pasta night.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Prepare a delicious Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta in just 15 minutes, featuring tender shrimp and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This simple dish combines seafood and pasta for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Cashew Alfredo

    A skillet full of cashew alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    This vegan alfredo sauce is quick and easy to make in just 15 minutes. With just 5 ingredients, it’s creamy and delicious without needing any cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Cavatappi

    Pesto Cavatappi.
    Photo credit: The Belly Rules the Mind.

    Pesto Cavatappi is a tasty homemade take on the well-loved dish from Noodles & Company, featuring fresh basil pesto sauce. It's a flavorful meal that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    This tahini sauce is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and tahini is the star of the show. It's a great addition to many dishes and adds a creamy, nutty flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick carbonara is simple to make with everyday ingredients you can find at any grocery store. It's a great option when you want a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is great for busy nights when you want something quick and tasty. It's a meal you'll find yourself coming back to time and time again.

    Get the recipe

    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    This Italian pasta dish is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. It's perfect for a quick meal when you don't have much time.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Pasta

    Lemon Pepper Pasta.
    Photo credit: Pretty Delicious Life.

    Lemon Pepper Pasta with parmesan is a creamy and delicious dish that everyone will enjoy. With just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand, this quick meal is perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Buffalo chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick and easy to make, with a nice spicy flavor that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Salad

    Summer Tortellini Salad.
    Photo credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This tortellini salad is simple to prepare with just 6 ingredients and is great for potlucks, BBQs, or a light meal. You can have it ready in just 20 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

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

    This easy pasta dish is perfect for a quick and tasty dinner. With crispy pancetta, green peas, orecchiette pasta, and grated parmesan, you can have a satisfying meal ready in under 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy delight featuring crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's simple to prepare with dried herbs and requires very little prep time.

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    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of spicy and creamy flavors that everyone will love. You can even skip the vodka and still enjoy a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    Pesto pasta is a quick and delicious meal that works well whether you serve it hot or cold. It's great as a main dish or a side, making it a versatile option for any meal.

    Get the recipe.

    Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo

    5-Ingredient Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Girl Gone Gourmet.

    This sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for tossing with pasta. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is simple and quick to prepare. It's quicker than waiting for takeout to arrive.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Carbonara

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

    This vegetarian carbonara is a quick and easy pasta dish that you can whip up in no time. It features halloumi instead of bacon, making it a fun and tasty option for a simple meal.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon creme fraiche pasta in a pan.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon pasta with chives is a quick and tasty meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta Fresca

    Pasta Fresca.
    Photo credit: Profusion Curry.

    Pasta Fresca is a quick and tasty dish that you can prepare in just 20 minutes. It features classic Italian ingredients like pasta, fresh tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and a bit of cream, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner can be ready in just 12 minutes with only 5 easy ingredients, all cooked in one pot. It's a simple and tasty option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara adds some extra flavor to the classic dish, making it even more enjoyable. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Spinach Pasta

    Creamy Spinach Pasta.
    Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet.

    This green pasta sauce is both tasty and healthy, made with just six simple ingredients. It's a quick and easy vegan spinach sauce that everyone in the family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick and easy, using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without much work.

    Get the recipe

    Shredded Crab Tagliatelle

    Shredded Crab Tagliatelle.
    Photo credit: Flawless Food.

    This pasta dish is quick and easy to make, featuring canned shredded crab meat in a delicious homemade sauce. With garlic, parsley, butter, lemon, and tomatoes, it’s a tasty option for a busy night.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce has a nice spicy twist to it. It's a great way to add some flavor to your pasta dishes.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    15-minute cherry tomato pasta with spinach and walnuts in a black skillet and in a white bowl topped with burrata, all on a white table decorated with cherry tomatoes on a branch and basil leaves
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta with cherry tomatoes and crunchy walnuts is a quick and delicious meal that you can make in no time. It’s perfect on its own, or you can add some mozzarella or burrata cheese for a little extra flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is quick to prepare and full of fresh vegetables. It's a light and satisfying dinner option that showcases the natural flavors of the veggies without any heavy sauces.

    Get the recipe

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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 more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David Leonhardt

      July 06, 2023 at 2:02 am

      Oh boy, they all look so good.

      I think we'll try the spicy vodka pasta this weekend. Although I am a big fan of pesto, and I see a couple good looking pesto pasta recipes here.

      Reply

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