No matter what type of pasta noodles you like, whether you like red or white sauce, or meat vs. meatless pastas—this post has all kinds of easy pasta recipes that the whole family will love!
For me, pasta dishes are among the easiest recipes to make!
Better yet, my kids are more apt to try and love a new recipe when it has pasta in it. Because – who doesn’t love pasta?!
I’ve collected some of our most favorite easy pasta recipes. Some recipes can be finished in under 30 minutes. Other easy recipes can be whipped up in just a few minutes, then baked in the oven or finished in the slow cooker. We promise you’ll love these easy pasta dishes.
Tips for Making Easy Pasta dishes
Many of the recipes use precooked meats like chicken or ground beef. One trick I use is to precook enough to make several meals. I’ll portion the meat into 1 lb bags and then store them all in the freezer. When I have a recipe that calls for precooked meat, all I have to do is grab a portion from the freezer.
Along that train of thought, many pasta dishes can be made ahead of time and either stored in the fridge or freezer to be warmed up later. Because it is so easy, I will often double the recipe I’m already making. I’ll use one for dinner and freeze the other to be used on a busy day.
Also, pasta is pretty forgiving in that you can use virtually any type of noodle in a given recipe. Of course, there are a few recipes that you have to stick with what’s written (like lasagna), but other recipes can be switched up with whatever you have in the pantry.
Spaghetti, Angel hair, Linguine, Fettuccine are all similar and can be substituted for one another.
Penne, bow tie, wagon wheel, shell, rigatoni, fusilli, ziti can often be used interchangeably as well.
With such a vast variety of pasta dishes listed I couldn’t possibly cover all the tips and tricks there are, so be sure to read each recipe post to find out all the ins and outs for that particular recipe.
Easy and Delicious Pastas
Easy and Delicious Pastas
All of these recipes are “no fail” pastas that the whole family LOVES!
They’re simple to make, don’t require a ton of crazy ingredients, feed a decent sized crowd, and are always popular with whoever I feed it to. You’ll want to add some of these to your regular meal rotation as well!
Main CourseSpaghetti Recipe
This easy spaghetti recipe is kid-friendly and is made with a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce making it the perfect family dinner recipe!
Our family's favorite lasagna recipe - not only because it's delicious but because it's so EASY! You don't even have to precook the lasagna noodles! With beef, pork, three cheeses, and tons of seasonings, you know this recipe is going to be a hit!
Everyone loves this Italian Sausage Pasta recipe! Not only is it easy, cheesy, and delicious, but it is a hit with the entire family and can be made mild or spicy depending on your preferences.
A creamy, delicious and flavorful pasta dish filled with cream cheese, parmesan, garlic and bacon. For only having a few ingredients, this Pasta Carbonara has big flavor!
Zucchini Ribbons and Pasta with Creamy Lemon-Basil Pasta - so delicious and under 400 calories!
Total Time: 30minutes
5 from 1 vote
Main CourseLemon Asparagus Pasta Recipe
This Lemon and Asparagus Pasta is so simple, yet packed with amazing flavor! Made from penne pasta, mixed with asparagus, and covered in a cheesy sauce with just a hint of lemon.
This Easy Beef Stroganoff recipe is simple and flavorful. Served with egg noodles, this creamy stroganoff made in the slow cooker is a classic Sunday dinner recipe and is perfect to enjoy any night of the week.
We always tend to have some chicken on hand, like I mentioned before. I’ll cook up some chicken breasts and either shred or cube them, then store in the freezer for recipes like this.
Turkey and chicken are interchangeable in these recipes, so depending on what you have on hand, feel free to use either!
Main CourseLemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Flavorful Lemon Chicken Pasta is covered in a delicious sauce made from lemons, whipping cream, cheeses, and fresh basil.
This Chicken Pesto Pasta is very flavorful and simple dinner idea that is sure to please. It's filled with bow-tie pasta, chunks of chicken, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and pesto making it a new go-to meal recipe.
Main CourseTriple Cheddar Chicken and Pasta Recipe
Even my pickiest eaters love this easy chicken pasta, which is why it's a go-to weeknight dinner in our family! With pasta, chicken, seasonings, and cream sauce full of cheese, you definitely can't go wrong!
Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta - a creamy and delicious pasta dish filled with cheese, chicken and bacon all made in one pot! This pasta can't be beat!
Easy Turkey Tetrazzini - egg noodles, mushrooms, and turkey topped with a creamy sauce and served with parmesan cheese! Comfort food at its best, this easy one pot turkey tetrazzini is a great way to use those holiday leftovers.
Total Time: 40minutes
Main CourseChicken Manicotti Recipe
These manicotti shells are stuffed with a cheesy chicken mixture, and topped with tasty marinara!
This creamy Turkey Tetrazzini is a simple and flavorful pasta casserole dish. It's perfect for using leftover holiday turkey, but makes for a crowd favorite year round!
These crock pot and baked pasta recipes are awesome for easy prep. They might take a little longer to make from start to finish, but they are less hands on time. So you can prepare them earlier on in the day and then they’ll be ready by dinner time.
Main CourseChicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
A delicious and simple casserole version of the dish every family loves - Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Casserole! Pasta, chicken, lots of cheese, and yummy seasonings make this pasta casserole a hit!
Everyone Loves Lasagna! This White Chicken Lasagna Version Is Just As Delicious As Classic Lasagna And Is Filled With Spinach, Cheese And Delicious Homemade White Sauce.
If you like creamy, cheesy, white sauce pasta then you'll absolutely love this Three Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe. Filled with Ricotta, Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese, and is SO easy to throw together! The whole family loves this recipe!!
Classic Lasagna made in the slow cooker! This delicious crock pot recipe has all the layers of noodles, cheese, sauce and meat that everyone loves but made more simply.
This Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini is simple and delicious too. Tortellini, bacon, cheese, basil, & spinach fill this recipe and make it irresistible and perfect for dinner any night.
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is so simple, cheesy and delicious. With loads of cheese, butter, and sour cream it's hard not to love this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
All of these are cold pastas, and make great side dishes. Although, some of them include meat, which makes them filling enough to use for a main dish.
Salad, Side DishLayered Pasta Salad Recipe
A dish that is appealing to both your tastebuds and your eyes! This beautiful Layered Pasta Salad is filled with your favorite ingredients including pasta, chicken, peas, lettuce, celery, and more.
This delicious Greek Pasta Salad is filled with rotini pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese and is covered in a tasty greek dressing! It's our new go-to pasta salad and is perfectly light and refreshing.
Easy and delicious Italian Pasta Salad recipe that includes Rotini pasta, olives, tomatoes, & cheese in Italian dressing! It takes minutes to make and is perfect for any get together including BBQs and holidays.
This Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Is Covered In Basil And Filled With Mozzarella Balls, Tomatoes, Basil And Balsamic Vinaigrette Reduction Sauce! It's A Light Dish With A Bold Flavor, Making It Perfect For Potlucks, Parties, BBQ's, And Get Togethers!
My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!
This is bookmarked and it’s a life saver for summer bbq’s!