These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (2024)

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (1)

There are few things as comforting as heaping bowl of pasta at the end of a long day. With so many easy pasta recipes out there, there's something for every palate to love. That's why pasta makes such a quick, easy dinner for your family—it's likely to satisfy everyone's cravings, due to its versatility. We've picked out pasta dinner ideas that cover so many different varieties, from hearty winter soup recipes (and of course chicken noodle soup) to zucchini recipes that allow low carb ideas for dinner. Of course, there are some macaroni and cheese recipes scattered throughout for the ultimate comfort food fest, as well as several butternut squash recipes that will never fail to get you in a cozy mood. There's also a wide range of pastas used, including ravioli, ziti, linguini, and just about any other shape you desire. Not only is pasta guaranteed to warm the soul, but it also often makes for a cheap dinner idea, since you usually already have the ingredients lying around the kitchen. So don't think for a second longer about what to make for dinner tonight, because one of these best pasta recipes will definitely be the winner.

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1

Pea-and-Mint Stuffed Shells

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (3)

Creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Romano cheeses are stuffed into these jumbo shells and balanced out by the hint of mint in each bite.

Get the recipe.

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2

Potato Gnocchi with Pork Ragù

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (5)

You can make this entire dish from scratch, including the pillowy potato gnocchi.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SKILLETS

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3

Roasted Lemon Artichoke and Browned Butter Pasta

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (7)

Adding the big scoops of burrata onto this tangy, nutty pasta dish might be our favorite part of making it.

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

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4

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Grilled Chicken

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (9)

A vibrant roasted red pepper sauce gives this dish a burst of bold flavor and color.

Get the recipe at Cooking Classy.

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5

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

You won't find any Cheez Whiz on this pasta, but you will taste a decadent provolone sauce in every bite.

Get the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.

SHOP SKILLETS

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6

Creamy Chipotle Sweet Potato Penne Pasta

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (13)

The creamy sauce is actually vegan and made out of sweet potatoes, cashews, and chipotle peppers.

Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.

SHOP SKILLETS

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7

Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (15)

Spicy, sweet, savory—this dish has it all! The mayo, sweet chili, and Sriracha-tossed shrimp make this plate of pasta irresistible.

Get the recipe at Spicy Southern Kitchen.

SHOP SKILLETS

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8

Pasta With Olives, Anchovies, Tomatoes, and Breadcrumbs

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (17)

Use your leftover pantry and fridge ingredients for this pasta that's sure to warm you up right away.

Get the recipe at Coley Cooks.

SHOP SKILLETS

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9

Mexican Corn Pasta

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Crumbled Cojita cheese gives this pasta recipe a truly signature taste.

Get the recipe at Cooking and Beer.

SHOP SKILLETS

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10

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

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Made in just one pan, this easy, cheesy meal will become a weeknight staple.

Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

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11

Taco Pasta

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Finish off this kid-friendly recipe with your favorite taco toppings: sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips.

Get the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.

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12

Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup

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Skip the canned stuff and whip up this homemade chicken noodle soup that will warm you up all winter long.

Get the recipe.

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13

Pumpkin Pasta with Balsamic Sage Brown Butter Sauce

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These homemade noodles are made with just two ingredients—yes, really!—and the entire dish comes together in 30 minutes.

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

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14

Chicken Meatball and Vegetable Noodle Soup

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (29)

Go low-carb with this healthy recipe that calls for sprialized "zoodles."

Get the recipe.

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15

Butternut Squash-Apricot Chicken Noodle Curry

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This hearty curry is the most delicious way to enjoy butternut squash this season.

Get the recipe.

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16

Pancetta-and-Brussels Sprouts Linguini

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For even more protein, top each serving of this hearty winter pasta with a fried egg.

Get the recipe.

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17

Chicken and Fideo Posole

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Top this Mexican meal with sour cream, jalapeños, and lime wedges.

Get the recipe.

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18

Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe

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Arugula gives cheesy spaghetti and pulled chicken earthy freshness.

Get the recipe.

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19

Ginger Garlic Chicken Ramen

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This homemade ramen is filled with shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, and snow peas.

Get the recipe.

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20

Bucatini with Winter Pesto and Sweet Potatoes

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (41)

Ready in under 30 minutes, this deserves a spot in your weeknight dinner rotation come winter.

Get the recipe.

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (2024)

FAQs

Is pasta a good comfort food? ›

The three most popular pasta dishes are macaroni and cheese, spaghetti Bolognese and lasagna. For centuries, pasta has been a comfort food.

What can I put in pasta if I don't have anything? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What can I add to pasta for dinner? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

What types of pasta dishes are there? ›

The most famous pasta dishes are:
  • Spaghetti Bolognaise.
  • Lasagne.
  • Fettuccine Alfredo.
  • Pasta Carbonara.
  • Ravioli.
  • Pasta alla Norma.
  • Spaghetti alle Vongole.
  • Macaroni Cheese.
Oct 24, 2023

What is the ultimate comfort food? ›

Truly comfort food at its finest, chicken pot pie represents the addictive marriage of a flaky, buttery crust with diced chicken, onions, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. While it's a dish that you can easily find pre-made in almost any grocery freezer aisle, we strongly believe that making your own is worth it.

What is the best comfort food of all time? ›

Our 20 all-time favorite comfort foods
  • 1 of 20. Chicken noodle soup. Joshua Resnick / shutterstock.com. ...
  • 2 of 20. Chicken pot pie. Charles Brutlag / shutterstock.com. ...
  • 3 of 20. Chicken tenders. ...
  • 4 of 20. Chili. ...
  • 5 of 20. Chocolate chip cookies. ...
  • 6 of 20. Cinnamon buns. ...
  • 7 of 20. Cornbread. ...
  • 8 of 20. Fries.
Mar 18, 2024

What can I put on pasta when I have no sauce? ›

Melt butter, toast some freshly cracked black pepper in your pan, and simmer it with pasta cooking water. Toss in your noodles, pecorino, and parmesan, and stir together to melt all the cheese. We love how this no sauce pasta recipe is a delicious, quick dish that is ideal for a light lunch or appetizer.

What can I have instead of spaghetti? ›

8 Low-Carb & Grain-Free Substitutes for Pasta
  • Zucchini. Zucchini is a popular noodle substitute because its texture makes it easy to spiral out into spaghetti-like shapes. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Spaghetti Squash. ...
  • Egg Noodles. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Cabbage.

How can I eat pasta without gaining weight? ›

Along with veggies, do not forget to add sources of protein in your pasta. Protein should fill 1/4 of your pasta plate or bowl. You can add lean chicken or fresh fish like salmon in your pasta. If you are making a vegetarian pasta, add legumes such as white beans.

What is the most popular pasta dish? ›

Top 10 most popular pasta recipes
  1. The best spaghetti bolognese.
  2. Ultimate spaghetti carbonara. ...
  3. Chicken pasta bake. ...
  4. Creamy courgette lasagne. ...
  5. Chorizo & mozzarella gnocchi bake. ...
  6. Creamy courgette & bacon pasta. ...
  7. Sausage ragu. ...
  8. Chicken & chorizo ragu. ...
Sep 28, 2023

Can I have pasta for dinner every night? ›

Irene Mejia, a registered dietitian, also told me that eating the same healthy, balanced dinner like pasta and salad each night would also provide a consistent source of nutrition.

Can I eat pasta for dinner everyday? ›

It is possible to eat pasta daily and still be healthy. The key to eating pasta every day is to limit your portion size and supplement your pasta bowl with essential nutrients. The recommended portion size is two ounces of dry pasta or one cup of cooked pasta.

What is the most delicious pasta in the world? ›

Check out the top-ten pasta dishes in the world:
  • Pappardelle al cinghiale- Tuscany, Italy.
  • Pasta carbonara- Rome, Italy.
  • Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese- Bologna, Italy.
  • Lasagne alla Bolognese- Bologna Italy.
  • Linguine allo scoglio- Campania, Italy.
  • Pasta all gricia- Grisciano, Italy.
  • Giouvetsi- Greece.
Aug 29, 2023

What are the 4 main pasta dishes? ›

Gricia, Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, and Amatriciana are all simple pastas that share the same big flavors of Pecorino-Romano, black pepper, and—in three of the dishes—cured pork. Published Oct. 18, 2018.

Is pasta good for Mental Health? ›

Pasta can also increase tryptophan levels in the brain. Tryptophan is an amino acid crucial for the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with positive mood, emotional stability, and improved overall mental well-being.

Is pasta easy on the stomach? ›

This is because refined grains are low in fiber and they pass more quickly through your digestive tract. This means refined grains won't sit in your stomach for long periods of time, which can trigger nausea. Some examples of simple carbs that you can eat on an upset stomach are: Pasta.

Does pasta make your stomach feel better? ›

Pasta is made from grain, one of the basic food groups in a healthy diet that also can include vegetables, fruits, fish, and poultry. It's a good source of energy and can give you fiber, too, if it's made from whole grain. That can help with stomach problems and may help lower cholesterol.

Is pasta a good recovery food? ›

In terms of what foods you should be eating post-workout, complex but easily-digestible carbs like pasta, rice and potatoes are all good options for your larger meal, alongside a lean protein source like fish, chicken or beans.

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