10+ Quick Pasta Recipes for Busy Weeknights

If you’re short on time but craving a comforting meal, quick pasta recipes are the way to go. These recipes are perfect for busy days when you need something delicious in a hurry. Pasta is versatile and can be paired with many ingredients for a satisfying dish in no time.

Whether you’re looking for simple buttered noodles or a one-pot dinner option, there are plenty of easy choices available. You can enjoy tasty meals without spending hours in the kitchen, making your dinner routine much simpler.

1) 5-Ingredient Tomato Pasta

This quick dish is perfect for busy nights. It uses fresh ingredients and comes together in a flash.

You’ll need angel hair pasta, olive oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and white wine. These simple items create a tasty meal that everyone will enjoy.

Start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add sliced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, then add halved cherry tomatoes.

After a few minutes, pour in some white wine and let it simmer. Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato mixture. Toss well and serve warm, topped with your favorite herbs if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 pound angel hair pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup white wine

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
6. Combine with cooked pasta and serve.

2) Creamy Cavatappi

Creamy Cavatappi is a delightful and quick pasta dish you can make in just about 25 minutes. The tender cavatappi noodles pair perfectly with a rich, silky cream sauce.

This dish is simple and requires minimal ingredients. You can add your favorite vegetables or proteins to make it more filling. It’s a great choice for busy weeknights!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cavatappi pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cooked chicken or sun-dried tomatoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
2. In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Mix well.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and add any optional ingredients if desired.

3) No-Cook Tomato Basil Pasta

No-Cook Tomato Basil Pasta is a quick and delicious dish you can whip up in no time. Using fresh, juicy tomatoes, this recipe is perfect for summer.

Start by chopping up ripe tomatoes and mixing them with olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh basil. This simple sauce is full of flavor and doesn’t require any cooking. Just let the ingredients mingle for a few minutes.

While the sauce rests, cook your pasta according to package directions. In about 8-10 minutes, you’ll have al dente pasta ready to mix. Toss the pasta with the sauce, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Serve it fresh and enjoy the vibrant flavors of summer!

Ingredients

• Ripe tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Fresh basil
• Pasta (like angel hair)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop ripe tomatoes.
2. Mix tomatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped basil.
3. Cook pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente.
4. Toss pasta with tomato mixture.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

4) Pasta Carbonara

Pasta Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that’s quick and easy to make. You’ll love the creamy sauce made with eggs and cheese, giving it a rich flavor. The crispy pancetta adds a savory touch.

To start, boil your spaghetti in salted water until it’s al dente. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and quickly mix it with the pancetta. Remove from heat, and pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta, stirring continuously to create a creamy sauce.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 4 ounces pancetta or bacon
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
2. In a pan, cook pancetta until crispy.
3. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese.
4. Drain pasta and mix with pancetta.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the egg mixture.
6. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.

5) Peanut Butter Sriracha Noodles

Peanut Butter Sriracha Noodles are a quick and tasty dish. They bring together creamy peanut butter and spicy Sriracha for a delicious meal that’s ready in minutes. Perfect for busy days, this dish uses simple ingredients you might already have.

To make these noodles, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, mix together peanut butter, Sriracha, soy sauce, and a bit of water for a smooth sauce.

Once the pasta is done, drain it and mix it with the sauce. Toss in some chopped vegetables or green onions if you’d like. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful creation!

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or your favorite noodles
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1-2 tablespoons water
• Optional: chopped vegetables or green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, Sriracha, soy sauce, and water.
3. Drain the pasta and combine it with the sauce.
4. Add optional vegetables if desired.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

6) Easy One-Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta is a quick and simple dish perfect for busy nights. You just need to toss everything into one pot, and you’ll have a delicious meal in about 20 minutes.

You can customize your one-pot pasta with your favorite veggies and proteins. It’s all about combining uncooked pasta, sauce, and seasonings to create a flavorful dish.

For a healthy twist, use whole grain pasta and add fresh vegetables like broccoli and tomatoes. This method makes cleanup a breeze since you only use one pot.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of pasta
• 2 cups of vegetable broth or water
• 1 cup of chopped vegetables
• 1 jar of marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine uncooked pasta and broth.
2. Add chopped vegetables and marinara sauce.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
5. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

7) 3-Ingredient One Pot Pasta

Making a quick and tasty dinner is easy with 3-Ingredient One Pot Pasta. This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you need something simple and satisfying.

You only need pasta, a jar of your favorite meat sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Start by adding the pasta and sauce to a large pot with enough water to cover everything. Bring it to a boil.

Stir occasionally and cook until the pasta is tender. Once done, drain any excess liquid if needed. Finally, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Ingredients

• Pasta (your choice)
• Jarred meat sauce
• Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine pasta and jarred meat sauce.
2. Add enough water to cover the pasta.
3. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
4. Cook until pasta is tender.
5. Drain excess liquid if necessary.
6. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

8) Pasta with Walnut Sauce

Pasta with walnut sauce is a simple and tasty meal option. It combines the richness of walnuts with garlic and cheese, making it delightful. You can prepare it quickly, perfect for busy days.

Start by toasting some walnuts until they’re golden brown. This enhances their flavor. Then, blend them with garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese to create a creamy sauce.

Cook your favorite pasta shape in boiling water. Once it’s ready, mix it with the walnut sauce. Remember to add a bit of pasta water for a smoother consistency.

This dish is both delicious and nutritious. Enjoy your pasta topped with extra walnuts and a sprinkle of cheese if you like!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups toasted walnuts
• 3-4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 pound dried pasta (short shape)
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Toast walnuts in a pan over medium heat until golden.
2. Blend walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and cheese until smooth.
3. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
4. Combine pasta with walnut sauce, adding pasta water as needed.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

9) Pesto Pasta

Pesto pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in 20 minutes. You only need a few ingredients. It’s perfect for busy nights or when you want something delicious without a lot of fuss.

You can make it even better by adding grilled chicken or veggies. The bright green pesto sauce gives the pasta a fresh taste. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

For a simple recipe, just cook your pasta, then toss it with pesto sauce. You can use store-bought pesto or make your own with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
• 1 cup of pesto sauce
• Salt, to taste
• Optional: grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, or vegetables

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a large pot.
2. Add salt and pasta; cook according to package instructions.
3. Drain the pasta.
4. In the same pot, mix pasta with pesto.
5. Serve warm with your choice of add-ins.

10) Aglio e Olio

Aglio e Olio is a quick and tasty Italian pasta dish. It uses just a few simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy nights. You can whip it up in about 20 minutes!

To start, you’ll need spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. This dish shines with its flavors from the garlic and a little heat from the pepper flakes.

Cook your pasta according to the package directions. While it cooks, heat olive oil in a pan. Add sliced garlic and cook until golden brown. Then, mix in red pepper flakes for spice.

Once the spaghetti is ready, toss it in the pan with the garlic oil. Serve it hot, and you can add parsley for a fresh touch.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) spaghetti
• ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add sliced garlic and cook until golden.
4. Stir in red pepper flakes and salt.
5. Toss cooked spaghetti in garlic oil.
6. Serve hot with parsley if desired.