Best Pasta Recipes for Easy Dinners

Before You Start

• Bring a big pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.
• Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining the pasta. This is your sauce insurance.
• Finish the pasta in the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes whenever you can. That is how you get restaurant-level cling.

1) Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

1. Cook pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened and it smells like you are definitely having a good night.
4. Turn heat to medium-low. Add Parmesan and stir until melted and smooth.
5. Add pasta and a splash of pasta water. Toss until glossy and saucy. Fold in peas or spinach if using.
6. If using shrimp or chicken, warm it through in the sauce at the end and serve with extra Parmesan and black pepper.

2) Spicy Vodka Style Tomato Pasta

1. Cook pasta al dente. Reserve pasta water, drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds.
3. Stir in tomato paste and chili flakes. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until the paste darkens slightly.
4. If using vodka, add it and simmer 30 seconds.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Stir in cream. Add pasta and a splash of pasta water. Toss until the sauce coats every noodle. Finish with Parmesan or pecorino.

Note: Vodka is traditional but optional. This version leans on tomato paste plus cream for the same cozy, spicy vibe.

3) Lemon Butter Shrimp Linguine

1. Cook linguine al dente. Reserve pasta water, drain.
2. Pat shrimp dry. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Sear shrimp 1 to 2 minutes per side until just cooked. Remove to a plate.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter and garlic, cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add lemon zest and juice plus 1/4 cup pasta water. Simmer 30 to 60 seconds, stirring, until the sauce looks lightly emulsified and glossy.
6. Toss in linguine and shrimp. Add more pasta water as needed. Finish with parsley and black pepper.

4) Weeknight Pesto Chicken Pasta

1. Cook pasta. Reserve pasta water, drain.
2. In the warm pot or a skillet, add pesto and 1/3 cup pasta water. Stir to loosen.
3. Add chicken and tomatoes if using. Warm through.
4. Add pasta and Parmesan. Toss hard for 30 seconds, adding more pasta water until silky.

5) Pantry Tuna Pasta with Crispy Breadcrumbs

1. Cook spaghetti. Reserve pasta water, drain.
2. In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Toast breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a bowl.
3. Add remaining olive oil. Add garlic and chili flakes, cook 30 to 60 seconds.
4. Add tuna, lemon zest, and a splash of pasta water. Stir into a loose sauce.
5. Add spaghetti and toss. Finish with lemon juice, parsley, and crispy breadcrumbs on top.

6) One Pot Sausage and Spinach Orzo

1. In a pot over medium-high heat, brown sausage, breaking it up. Remove excess fat if needed.
2. Add onion and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Stir in orzo, then broth. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until orzo is tender and saucy.
5. Stir in spinach to wilt. Turn off heat and add Parmesan. Season to taste.

7) Baked Ziti with Ricotta

1. Heat oven to 375 F. Cook pasta 2 minutes under al dente, drain.
2. Brown meat in a skillet. Add marinara and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
4. Toss pasta with most of the sauce. Layer half in a baking dish, dollop ricotta mixture, add mozzarella. Repeat and top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly. Broil 1 to 2 minutes for browned edges.

8) Cacio e Pepe-ish

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, drain.
2. In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter and bloom black pepper for 30 seconds.
3. Add 1/2 cup pasta water. Turn heat to low.
4. Add pasta. Sprinkle in cheese gradually while tossing constantly, adding more pasta water as needed until creamy and smooth.
5. Serve immediately with extra pepper.