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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6

Creamy Chipotle Sweet Potato Penne Pasta

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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

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (23)

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

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (27)

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

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (31)

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

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (33)

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

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (35)

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

These Pasta Recipes Are the Comforting, Easy Dinner Ideas You Need Tonight (37)

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 to put on your pasta when you have nothing? ›

Salt, pepper, and a little olive oil (or a teaspoon of butter) compose a light but pleasant pasta dish. What simple ingredients can I add to plain cooked pasta to make it taste better? Pesto and Gorgonzola cheese. Minced garlic and chopped onions and bell peppers.

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 can I add to pasta to make it better? ›

Olive oil or butter and herbs. Adding a fat to the pasta makes it taste better if you're poor and need something. I also add oregano and/or basil. Butter, eggs, and cheese.

What is the most comforting food in the world? ›

10 Comfort Foods from Around the World
  • India: Butter Chicken. ...
  • France: Cassoulet. ...
  • Morocco: Harira Soup. ...
  • South Korea: Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae) ...
  • Mexico: Pozole. ...
  • Greece: Moussaka. ...
  • Thailand: Tom Yum Soup. ...
  • Brazil: Feijoada.

Should I pour cold water on pasta? ›

Pasta should never, ever be rinsed for a warm dish. The starch in the water is what helps the sauce adhere to your pasta. The only time you should ever rinse your pasta is when you are going to use it in a cold dish like a pasta salad or when you are not going to use it immediately.

What tastes good on pasta? ›

Pasta dish ideas including Lemon, Basil and Mascarpone, Quick Chicken Alfredo, White Wine, Mushroom and Cream, White Bean Sauce, Bacon and Scallions, Tuna and Capers, Lemon Artichoke Pesto, Smoked Salmon And Capers, and Caprese.

What can I eat without bread and pasta? ›

Table of contents
  • Low carb pasta alternatives.
  • Spiralised veggies.
  • Shirataki noodles.
  • Aubergine lasagne sheets.
  • Low carb bread alternatives.
  • Lettuce wraps.
  • Oatcakes.
  • Chickpea pancakes.
Aug 13, 2023

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 is the most sold type of pasta? ›

Spaghetti. SHAPE: Long, thin, solid, cylindrical pasta. It's the most popular in the U.S. and the best-known pasta shape. SERVED: Spaghetti has a lot of versatility and mixes with a variety of sauces.

What is the most popular pasta in the world? ›

1. Spaghetti. Perhaps one of the most popular pasta types in the world, spaghetti consists of long, thin noodles which can be paired with a wide variety of sauces. Possibly the most well known dish is Spaghetti Bolognese, where pasta is paired with meat in a marinara sauce.

How to jazz up pasta? ›

Fresh or dried herbs will also add flavor to pasta dishes.

"I use a lot of parsley, either fresh or even dried," Montillo said. "Oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, black pepper all work well in a variety of sauces."

What meat to put in pasta? ›

The Best Proteins That Will Compliment Your Pasta
  • Chicken. When you think of protein in your pasta, you probably think of chicken. ...
  • Steak. If you are looking to treat yourself, add some steak to your pasta. ...
  • Shrimp. ...
  • Salmon. ...
  • Pasta With Chicken, Steak, Salmon and More at Puerto La Boca.
Jul 1, 2021

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.

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.

Why is pasta good for elderly? ›

You should eat plenty of foods that are rich in starch and fibre. Starchy foods like bread, rice, potatoes and pasta are all good sources of energy, fibre and vitamins B. These foods can also form the basis of some delicious meals!

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