Everyone has a go-to pasta recipe that they know like the back of their hand — whether its a super simple spaghetti, baked ziti, a take on alfredo, or even a family-honored lasagna. And yet there are thousands of ways to dress up your favorite pasta that you are missing out on. Contrary to popular belief, not every life-changing pasta sauce requires you to frantically hover the stovetop; some of the best pasta dishes are straightforward and can be made in under 30 minutes. The following pasta recipes are easy dishes that can help you breeze through dinner and then some, as these ideas make for delicious leftovers. Most importantly, though, they'll please the entire family and help you switch things up every once in a while.
These pasta dishes make use of versatile noodles you can boil to perfection in just under 10 minutes — from penne to linguini, farfalle "bowties" to more complex ravioli, there's plenty of pasta to go around. Most can be incorporated into rich, velvety sauces that includes a medley of seasoned poultry or beef and tender vegetables. Other pasta varieties are best left lighter with a healthier take of sauteéd veggies and creamy pan sauces; some can even be incorporated into soups, too.
And if you're looking for a new take on your own favorite pasta dish, it's here. We've tweaked and played with classics — including lasagna, bolognese, macaroni and cheese, and signature sauces from alfredo to alla vodka — to make them even simpler to master.
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1
Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli
Get double the citrus flavor with fresh lemon mixed into the pasta dough and the sauce.
Get the recipe for Lemon-Pepper Linguine With Creamy Chicken and Broccoli »
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2
Penne With Spicy Anchovy Marinara
Skip the jarred sauce—ours is made with anchovies, garlic, chile, oregano, capers and fennel for a flavor that goes way beyond store-bought.
Get the recipe for Penne With Spicy Anchovy Marinara »
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3
Beet Fettuccine With Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese
Give your pasta a pretty hue with beet juice added right into the dough.
Get the recipe for Beet Fettuccine With Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese »
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4
Tomato Tagliatelle With Chorizo and Olives
Spicy, salty and a little sweet from the tomatoes, this pretty plate's got it all.
Get the recipe for Tomato Tagliatelle With Chorizo and Olives »
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5
Spinach Macaroni With Beans and Greens
Made with sweet Italian sausage, creamy white beans and fresh kale, this is a filling, all-in-one feast.
Get the recipe for Spinach Macaroni With Beans and Greens »
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6
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
Save dishwasher space by boiling peas in the same pot as your pasta — then, make your sauce in the same pan that you've roasted your chicken in. All in all, dinner's on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta »
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7
Linguine Carbonara
A perfect option for any bacon lover, this classic Italian dish actually comes together away from the stovetop. You'll whisk egg yolks and fresh parm together and slowly add pasta water until you've created a luxurious sauce (in seconds!).
Get the recipe for Linguine Carbonara »
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8
Creamy Lemon Pasta With Chicken and Peas
Introduce the kids to a more refined pasta shape with gemelli, which is coated in creamy pan sauce made with lemon zest. Little ones will love chasing peas around their plate as they spear this spiral-shaped pasta.
Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Pasta With Chicken and Peas »
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9
Pasta With Red Pepper Alfredo
We gave this creamy classic dish an instant health upgrade by adding roasted veggies into the equation. Red bell peppers and fresh garlic add a much-needed boost of fiber — plus a beautiful hue!
Get the recipe for Pasta With Red Pepper Alfredo »
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10
Easy Lasagna With Meat Sauce
You can save loads of time by simply baking dry lasagna noodles in this easy ground pork meat sauce. Make this casserole ahead of time or on any weeknight — it's ready in just one hour.
Get the recipe for Easy Lasagna With Meat Sauce »
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11
Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta
Look — it's summer in a bowl. Squash, mint, and lemon juice come together to create a light pasta dinner that's perfect for dining al fresco.
Get the recipe for Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta »
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12
Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon and Scallions
Trying to use up leftover corn? This one-pot pasta dinner calls on the flavors of bacon, scallions, basil, and fresh corn to create a summer pasta medley in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe for Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon and Scallions »
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13
Creamy Broccolini Pasta With Chile Breadcrumbs
Charred broccolini is cut by the tartness of lemon juice and sour cream in a five-ingredient pan sauce.
Get the recipe for Creamy Broccolini Pasta With Chile Breadcrumbs »
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14
Chilled Tortellini Romesco
Another elevated take on pasta salad, almonds and scallions add a wonderful crunch to the smooth, creamy profile of the tortellini.
Get the recipe for Chilled Tortellini Romesco »
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15
Pesto Zucchini Orzo
You'll love this no-fuss take on a pasta salad — let summer squash marinate in a mix of pesto, olive oil, and white wine vinegar. Then, add the rest of your ingredients into the mix.
Get the recipe for Pesto Zucchini Orzo »
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16
Easy Vegetarian Lasagna With Spinach and Broccoli
Beef who? This satisfying triple-layer lasagna doubles down on plenty of spinach, broccoli, fresh basil, and three different cheese varieties. Sauté peppers and mushrooms, and then stir into your tomato sauce for an extra boost of nutrients.
Get the recipe for Easy Vegetarian Lasagna With Spinach and Broccoli »
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17
Baked Pesto Shells & Greens
This cheesy, baked pasta packs a hefty dose of veggies in each serving. We won't tell the kids if you won't.
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18
Veggie Skillet Lasagna
There is absolutely no need to wait for the water to boil when you can just cook lasagna noodles in a super-flavorful sauce.
Get the recipe for Veggie Skillet Lasagna »
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19
Orecchiette with Morels and Peas
Heading to the farmers' market this weekend? Make a list of the in-season produce in this recipe and create a beautiful lunch when you get home.
Get the recipe for Orecchiette with Morels and Peas »
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20
Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
These taste even better reheated; our test kitchen staff says they can be refrigerated for 2 days after being served. They're just as delicious alongside a hearty salad as well.
Get the recipe for Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs »
