Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a rich, indulgent dinner, these 10 pasta recipes offer something for everyone. From light and healthy options to creamy, cheesy favorites, each dish is simple to make, packed with flavor, and sure to impress your family and friends.
1. Easy Garlic Broccoli Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 350 kcal
A perfect blend of garlic, broccoli, and Parmesan cheese, this pasta is both quick and nutritious.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, pepper, and fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Boil pasta and broccoli together in salted water. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a pot, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 1 minute.
- Combine and Finish: Toss pasta and broccoli with the garlic oil. Stir in Parmesan cheese, adjust consistency with reserved pasta water, and garnish with parsley.
2. Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 550 kcal
Rich Alfredo sauce meets hearty ground beef in this comforting pasta dish.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz fettuccine
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Boil fettuccine until al dente.
- Prepare Beef: Cook ground beef in olive oil, then add garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: Add heavy cream, butter, Parmesan, and mozzarella to the skillet. Stir until creamy.
- Combine: Toss pasta with the sauce and garnish with parsley.
3. Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories per Serving: 600 kcal
This layered spaghetti casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Sauté onion, garlic, and ground beef. Stir in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Layer and Bake: In a baking dish, layer pasta, meat sauce, and cheese mixture. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
4. Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 550 kcal
A light yet flavorful pasta with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti and reserve pasta water.
- Make Sauce: Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Add Spinach: Stir in spinach until wilted. Toss with spaghetti and serve.
5. One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 550 kcal
Enjoy all the flavors of chicken Parmesan in one easy pot.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz penne pasta
Directions:
- Cook Chicken: Brown chicken in olive oil.
- Simmer: Add tomatoes, broth, cream, and pasta. Cover and cook until pasta is tender.
- Finish: Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories per Serving: 550 kcal
This kid-friendly dish combines cheesy pasta with the flavors of a sloppy joe.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz macaroni
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Cook beef, then stir in ketchup, mustard, and cream.
- Combine: Add cheese and pasta to the skillet. Stir until creamy.
7. Creamy Beef and Mushroom Macaroni
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories per Serving: 540 kcal
Ground beef and mushrooms create a hearty, creamy pasta dish.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz macaroni
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni.
- Sauté Beef and Mushrooms: Cook beef and mushrooms with garlic.
- Combine: Add soup, cream, and cheese. Stir in pasta.
8. Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories per Serving: 780 kcal
This creamy Alfredo pasta is elevated by savory garlic sausage.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz rigatoni
- 1 lb garlic sausage
- 1½ cups heavy cream
Directions:
- Cook Rigatoni: Boil pasta and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Cook sausage, then add cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Combine: Toss pasta with the sauce and garnish with parsley.
9. Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories per Serving: 550 kcal
This indulgent dish combines crispy bacon and creamy Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Cook beef, add cream, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Finish: Toss with pasta and garnish with bacon.
10. Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories per Serving: 550 kcal
This pasta combines tender steak and creamy cheese sauce for a Philly-inspired meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups provolone cheese
Directions:
- Cook Steak: Sear steak and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: Cook onion and bell peppers.
- Combine: Add broth, cream, and cheese. Toss with pasta and steak.
Conclusion
These pasta recipes cater to a variety of tastes and occasions, from quick meals to hearty comfort food. Try one (or all!) and elevate your dinner routine with these easy, delicious options.