Are you looking for quick and delicious pasta recipes to try at home? I’m offering 21 easy pasta dishes that are perfect for any occasion.
Cooking pasta has always been my favorite way to bring family together. The smell of boiling water and fresh ingredients fills the kitchen with warmth and excitement. It’s a simple dish that can be transformed into anything from comfort food to elegant dinner.
Over the years, I’ve learned that making perfect pasta doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few basic techniques, you can create delicious, restaurant-quality meals at home. Confidence in your skills grows with every batch, turning cooking into a true joy.
These recipes are designed to be easy to follow and quick to make. You’ll discover how to create rich sauces, hearty bakes, and freshly made noodles that impress every time. Let’s dive into these amazing pasta dishes and elevate your everyday cooking.
1. Homemade Pasta
Making homemade pasta is a fun and rewarding kitchen adventure that requires just four simple ingredients: all-purpose flour, eggs, olive oil, and salt. After mixing, kneading, and resting the dough, you’ll have chewy, delicious noodles perfect for your favorite sauce, all made fresh with love!
Read the Recipe: Homemade Pasta
2. Creamy Garlic Pasta
Imagine tossing garlic in warm olive oil and fragrant butter, then simmering spaghetti in rich chicken broth until perfectly tender. Finish it off with Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and parsley to create a creamy, flavorful dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes—an irresistibly delicious pasta experience!
Read the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Pasta
3. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta is a super quick and delicious meal that comes together in just 25 minutes with simple ingredients. It’s rich, garlicky, and loaded with fresh spinach and tangy tomatoes, making it a cozy, satisfying dish perfect for busy nights or when you need a flavorful dinner in no time!
Read the Recipe: Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
4. Creamy Tomato Rigatoni Pasta
This Creamy Tomato Rigatoni is a simple, comforting dish made with just six ingredients, including rigatoni pasta, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, garlic, onion, and pasta water. It comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal effort, creating a rich, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta and makes every bite feel indulgent and satisfying.
Read the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Rigatoni Pasta
5. Easy One-Pot Pasta | Cozy & Healthy 20 Minute Dinner!
This Easy One-Pot Pasta is a quick, cozy dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes, with uncooked pasta, veggies, and sauce all cooked together in one pot. Simply layer the ingredients, bring to a boil, and simmer until the pasta is perfectly al dente—making cleanup a breeze and dinner delicious!
Read the Recipe: Easy One-Pot Pasta | Cozy & Healthy 20 Minute Dinner!
6. Midnight Pasta
Midnight pasta is a quick and easy dish perfect for late-night cravings, made with just five simple ingredients you probably already have. Toss in garlic, anchovies, red pepper flakes, and olive oil with your favorite pasta for a flavorful, satisfying meal that feels like a trip to Italy—ready in no time!
Read the Recipe: Midnight Pasta
7. Basic Homemade Pasta
Making homemade pasta is a fun and straightforward process—just mix flour, salt, and a beaten egg to create a firm dough, then knead it until smooth. Roll out your dough, cut into strips, and if desired, let it dry for 20 minutes before cooking for an authentic touch!
Read the Recipe: Basic Homemade Pasta
8. Garlic Butter Pasta (One Pot!)
This Garlic Butter Pasta is a quick, flavorful dish made in just one pot, featuring a rich herb-infused sauce with fresh garlic, Parmesan, and a splash of lemon juice. It’s perfect as a meatless meal or a tasty side that comes together in about 30 minutes, with the buttery garlic sauce making every bite irresistible!
Read the Recipe: Garlic Butter Pasta (One Pot!)
9. Beginner’s Guide To Fresh Homemade Pasta Dough
Making fresh homemade pasta is a fun and rewarding experience that results in silky, tender noodles perfect for a variety of dishes like fettuccini or ravioli. Just mix Tipo 00 flour with large eggs and yolks, knead until the dough is soft and smooth, then roll out on a clutter-free surface to create beautiful pasta shapes in about an hour!
Read the Recipe: Beginner’s Guide To Fresh Homemade Pasta Dough
10. How to Make That Famous Amalfi Zucchini Pasta Beloved by Stanley Tucci
Fried zucchini slices are cooked until golden and crispy, then mashed into a creamy sauce that beautifully coats al dente spaghetti. This simple yet luxurious dish combines fresh summer zucchini with cheese and starchy pasta water for a burst of Italian coastal flavor that’s both satisfying and easy to make.
Read the Recipe: How to Make That Famous Amalfi Zucchini Pasta Beloved by Stanley Tucci
11. Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta (One-Pan)
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta is a delicious, one-pan meal that comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy night in. It features tender chicken breasts cooked in a savory garlic and Italian seasoning, then tossed with pasta coated in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, topped with parsley for a burst of freshness.
Read the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta (One-Pan)
12. Pasta With Garlic Butter Sauce
Whip up this quick Pasta With Garlic Butter Sauce by cooking pasta in salted water until perfect, then tossing it in a rich mixture of melted butter and plenty of garlic until golden and fragrant. Finish with a sprinkle of herbs, red pepper flakes, or cheese for extra flavor—less is more when highlighting those savory garlic butter notes!
Read the Recipe: Pasta With Garlic Butter Sauce
13. Homemade Pasta [www.loveandlemons.com]
Making homemade pasta is an exciting kitchen adventure that Cooks up chewy, delicious noodles using just 4 simple ingredients—all-purpose flour, eggs, olive oil, and salt. After mixing and kneading the dough to a smooth, elastic texture, you just let it rest for 30 minutes before rolling it out and creating fresh, al dente pasta that’s perfect for any meal!
Read the Recipe: Homemade Pasta [www.loveandlemons.com]
14. Alfredo Sauce
This creamy Alfredo sauce is made by blending cooked cauliflower with Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and a touch of olive oil, giving it a silky, nutty flavor without heavy cream. Toss it with your favorite pasta and a bit of pasta water for a quick, lighter version of this classic dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Read the Recipe: Alfredo Sauce
15. Taco Pasta
This taco pasta combines the delicious flavors of tacos and pasta in just 30 minutes! Cook pasta, then prepare a flavorful ground beef mixture with tomatoes, chiles, and cheese, and finally mix everything together for a cheesy, saucy dinner everyone will love.
Read the Recipe: Taco Pasta
16. Eggplant Pasta
Experience the joy of cooking Eggplant Pasta with this quick and flavorful dish! Sauté fragrant garlic and tender eggplant in olive oil, then simmer with plum tomatoes until thick and rich, and toss it all with perfectly cooked rigatoni for a comforting, delicious meal.
Read the Recipe: Eggplant Pasta
17. Easy Pasta Bake with Mostaccioli and Meatballs
This easy pasta bake combines tender mostaccioli, flavorful spaghetti sauce, frozen meatballs, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella for a comforting meal. Just boil the pasta, layer everything in a baking dish, and bake until bubbly and golden—perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner with minimal fuss!
Read the Recipe: Easy Pasta Bake with Mostaccioli and Meatballs
18. How to cook dry pasta
Cooking dry pasta is a fun process! Just boil plenty of salted water, add your pasta, and cook one minute less than the package suggests until it’s al dente—meaning it has a slight resistance when you bite into it, not too soft. Drain and toss with your favorite sauce, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water for that perfect creamy finish!
Read the Recipe: How to cook dry pasta
19. Pasta Alla Norma
Pasta Alla Norma is a delicious Sicilian comfort food that combines crispy sautéed eggplant with a flavorful tomato sauce, topped with crumbled ricotta salata for a tangy finish. It’s an easy, satisfying vegetarian meal that can be whipped up in just about 45 minutes and is perfect for cozy dinners.
Read the Recipe: Pasta Alla Norma
20. Caramelized Shallot Pasta
This Caramelized Shallot Pasta is all about rich, sweet shallots cooked down in olive oil until they turn jammy and golden-brown. Tossed with tomato paste, anchovies, and garlic, it creates a flavor-packed, tangy, and savory sauce that clusters perfectly with pasta and can even be used as a tasty topping for eggs, chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Read the Recipe: Caramelized Shallot Pasta
21. Pasta Alla Genovese
This hearty Pasta alla Genovese combines sweet onions and tender beef, simmered slowly until their flavors meld into a rich, creamy sauce. The onions are briefly boiled to save time, then layered with beef, vegetables, and bacon, cooked gently for hours until everything is fall-apart tender, creating a dish packed with depth and comfort. Serve it over your favorite pasta, topped with Parmesan cheese for a truly satisfying meal!
Read the Recipe: Pasta Alla Genovese