10 Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick and Delicious Weeknight Dinners

10 easy pasta recipes that are fast, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights? You’re not alone. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal prepping, or just craving a comforting bowl of pasta, these simple dishes deliver big taste with minimal effort. Made with wholesome ingredients and ready in 20–30 minutes, these recipes are ideal for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. From creamy lemon ricotta to hearty lentil bolognese, each dish is vegetarian-friendly and easily adaptable for vegans. Discover how to turn pantry staples into satisfying meals that everyone will love—no fancy skills required. Let’s dive in and make dinner easier, tastier, and stress-free.

What Are Easy Pasta Recipes?

✅ Easy pasta recipes are simple, quick-to-make dishes that use minimal ingredients and steps to create delicious, satisfying meals. Most are ready in under 30 minutes and require only basic kitchen tools like a pot, pan, and colander.

These recipes focus on flavor, speed, and accessibility. They often use common ingredients like pasta, canned tomatoes, garlic, vegetables, and plant-based cheeses. The goal is to make dinner effortless—without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, easy pasta recipes help you avoid takeout, reduce food waste, and enjoy home-cooked meals even on the busiest days.

Why Easy Pasta Recipes Are Important

💡 Time-Saving
With most recipes ready in 20–30 minutes, you can have dinner on the table faster than a delivery order.

✅ Budget-Friendly
Pasta, beans, canned tomatoes, and frozen veggies are affordable and shelf-stable—perfect for stretching your grocery budget.

🌱 Healthy & Nutritious
By adding vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain pasta, you turn a simple dish into a balanced, fiber-rich meal.

⚠️ Reduces Stress
Knowing you have a few go-to recipes eliminates the “What’s for dinner?” panic and helps you cook with confidence.

Whether you’re new to cooking or just short on time, mastering a few easy pasta recipes is a game-changer for your kitchen routine.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making 10 Easy Pasta Recipes

Let’s walk through 10 delicious, beginner-friendly pasta recipes inspired by real, tested dishes from The Plant-Based School. Each one is vegetarian, quick, and packed with flavor. We’ll cover ingredients, instructions, and tips to get it right the first time.

1. Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach

A creamy, zesty dish that feels indulgent but takes just 20 minutes.

Ingredients (Serves 4–5):

• 12 oz (340g) rigatoni or penne
• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt, pepper, and olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
2. In a large bowl, mix ricotta, parmesan, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Add hot pasta and spinach to the bowl. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a creamy sauce.
4. Serve immediately with extra parmesan and black pepper.

💡 Tip: For a dairy-free version, use soy ricotta and almond parmesan.

2. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Simple, garlicky, and deeply satisfying—this classic Italian dish needs only a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti in salted water. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and cook on low until golden (don’t let it burn).
3. Add red pepper flakes and a splash of pasta water.
4. Toss in cooked spaghetti and parsley. Stir until coated.
5. Serve with a squeeze of lemon if desired.

⚠️ Avoid high heat—burnt garlic turns bitter.

3. Pasta al Pomodoro

A fresh tomato sauce that’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes like Italy.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh basil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta in salted water.
2. In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes.
4. Toss with cooked pasta. Top with fresh basil and mozzarella balls (optional).

✅ Use high-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor.

4. Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Packed with greens and a silky mashed broccoli sauce.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz orecchiette
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup pasta water
• Salt, pepper, lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and broccoli together in the same pot for the last 5 minutes.
2. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
3. Blend broccoli, garlic, olive oil, and pasta water into a creamy sauce.
4. Toss with pasta. Season with lemon, salt, and pepper.

💡 Blend while warm for the smoothest texture.

5. Mushroom Bolognese

A meat-free ragu that’s rich, hearty, and perfect over any pasta.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Italian herbs

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until browned.
3. Stir in tomatoes, paste, and herbs. Simmer 15 minutes.
4. Serve over cooked pasta.

✅ Blend half the sauce for a thicker, more traditional texture.

6. One-Pot Lentil Bolognese

A complete meal in one pot—no extra dishes!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 cup brown lentils
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can tomatoes
• Italian herbs

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion and carrots.
2. Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, and herbs.
3. Bring to a boil, then add pasta. Simmer 20 minutes.
4. Stir and serve hot.

⚠️ Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

7. Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Sweet, smoky, and creamy—without heavy cream.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz paccheri or rigatoni
• 1 cup roasted red peppers (jarred)
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup pasta water
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast or parmesan

Instructions:

1. Blend peppers, garlic, oil, and nutritional yeast into a smooth sauce.
2. Cook pasta, reserve water.
3. Toss pasta with sauce, adding pasta water to thin if needed.
4. Top with roasted cauliflower for crunch.

💡 Add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth.

8. Chickpea Pasta Salad

A cold, colorful meal perfect for lunch or picnics.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz short pasta
• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cucumber, diced
• Red onion, sliced
• Olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt

Instructions:

1. Cook and cool pasta.
2. Mix with chickpeas and veggies.
3. Whisk dressing: 3 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lemon, 1 tsp mustard.
4. Toss and chill 30 minutes before serving.

✅ Make ahead for meal prep—tastes better the next day!

9. Pesto Pasta with Green Beans

A fresh, nutty dish inspired by Italian summer.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• ½ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
• Boiled potatoes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and green beans together.
2. Drain and toss with pesto and parmesan.
3. Add boiled potatoes for heartiness.

💡 Blanch green beans first for tender-crisp texture.

10. Mushroom Alfredo (Lighter Version)

Creamy without cream—thanks to blended mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine
• 2 cups mushrooms, sautéed
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Blend sautéed mushrooms, broth, yeast, garlic, and lemon until smooth.
2. Cook pasta and toss with sauce.
3. Serve with a side salad.

⚠️ Don’t skip sautéing mushrooms—they add umami depth.

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

✅ Salt Your Pasta Water
Use 1–2 tablespoons of salt per 4 quarts of water. It’s the only chance to season the pasta itself.

⚠️ Don’t Overcook Pasta
Always taste for al dente—firm to the bite. It continues cooking in the sauce.

💡 Reserve Pasta Water
The starchy water helps sauces cling to pasta and thicken creamy dishes.

✅ Toss Pasta in the Sauce
Never just pour sauce over pasta. Mix them together in a pan or bowl for even coating.

⚠️ Don’t Skip the Fat
Olive oil, cheese, or nuts add richness and balance. Skimping makes dishes taste flat.

Comparison Table: Best Pasta Shapes for Each Sauce

Creamy (Alfredo, ricotta)	Fettuccine, rigatoni, penne	Holds thick sauces in ridges and tubes
Tomato-based	Spaghetti, paccheri	Smooth or wide shapes carry chunky or smooth sauces
Pesto	Fusilli, bowtie	Catches herbs and nuts in curves
Chunky (vegetables, beans)	Penne, orecchiette	Cups hold small pieces
Light oil-based	Spaghetti, linguine	Coats evenly without weighing down

This guide helps you pair the right pasta with your sauce for maximum flavor and texture.