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Pasta is the dinner that saves my week. It is cheap, it is fast, and almost every kid will eat it without a fight.
The trick is having more than one go to. These recipes cover creamy, cheesy, saucy and baked, and many of them use one pot or one pan so cleanup stays easy.
Here are 15 easy pasta dinners the whole family will love, from one pot taco pasta to a cheesy meatball bake.
The Best Easy Pasta Dinners
This article is all about the best easy pasta dinners.
1. One Pot Taco Pasta
What it is: Ground beef, bell pepper, salsa, black beans and corn simmer with shell pasta in one pot, then get stirred together with shredded cheddar.
It is ready in about 30 minutes and everything cooks in the same pot, so cleanup is quick. Kids get taco night flavor in a bowl they can eat with a spoon. Tip: Use mild salsa for little ones and set out sour cream, avocado and cilantro as toppings.
2. Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
What it is: Golden chicken cutlets and garlic herb mushrooms get tossed with pasta in a creamy parmesan sauce.
The whole meal takes about 35 minutes. Cutting the chicken breasts in half makes thin cutlets that cook fast and stay tender. Tip: The recipe calls for white wine, but chicken broth works in its place.
3. Lemon Chicken Pasta
What it is: Paprika seasoned chicken is cooked in butter, sliced and tossed with spaghetti in a lemon, garlic and parmesan cream sauce.
It is done in 30 minutes and the lemon keeps the creamy sauce bright and fresh. Sliced chicken over noodles is an easy plate for kids to dig into. Tip: Pound the chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly, and save some pasta water to loosen the sauce.
4. Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake
What it is: Homemade beef meatballs and mini penne bake in a simple homemade tomato sauce under mozzarella and parmesan.
Meatballs are a sure win with kids, and one 9×13 dish feeds six. It is a cozy Sunday dinner that tastes even better as leftovers. Tip: Roll the meat mixture into 25 even meatballs so they brown at the same rate.
5. Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
What it is: Rotini, broccoli and seared chicken get tossed in a lemon cream sauce with parmesan.
The broccoli cooks right along with the pasta, so the veggie is built into dinner. Bite size chicken and twisty noodles are easy for small hands. Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, stir in reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
6. Creamy Tomato Pasta
What it is: Mini penne is tossed in a sauce of crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic and tomato paste, finished with heavy cream, parmesan and fresh basil.
It is made from pantry staples and ready in about 30 minutes. It is also a meatless night that picky eaters will not argue with. Tip: The red pepper flakes are optional, so leave them out for kids and thin the sauce with pasta water as it rests.
7. One Pot Pizza Pasta
What it is: Corkscrew pasta cooks right in chicken broth, diced tomatoes and milk, then gets stirred with mozzarella and mini pepperoni.
It is ready in about 25 minutes with only nine ingredients. It tastes like pizza night, and there is just one pot to wash. Tip: Stir often while the pasta boils with the lid on so it does not stick to the bottom.
8. Chicken Pasta Bake
What it is: Seasoned chicken thigh pieces, bacon, rigatoni, tomato passata, fresh tomatoes and baby spinach are baked under mozzarella and parmesan.
It is a complete meal with pasta, protein and veggies in one dish, so you can skip the side salad. It feeds six, which makes it great for busy weeks. Tip: Penne, elbow macaroni or shells all work if you do not have rigatoni.
9. Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
What it is: Browned Italian sausage, onion and garlic are tossed with penne in a silky parmesan cream sauce.
It takes 30 minutes and about ten ingredients. The sausage brings so much flavor that you barely need to season anything. Tip: Choose mild sausage for kids and save a cup of pasta water in case the sauce gets thick.
10. Ham and Cheese Pasta
What it is: Medium shells are coated in a white cheddar and cream cheese sauce with diced ham and caramelized onions.
Kids who love mac and cheese will love this one too, and it is ready in about 25 minutes. It is also a smart way to use up leftover ham. Tip: Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving so the sauce settles.
11. Kielbasa Pasta
What it is: Thin sliced kielbasa and broccoli florets are tossed with bite size pasta in a quick parmesan cream sauce.
It comes together in about 20 minutes, and the broccoli boils right in the pasta pot. Smoky sausage coins are a hit with kids. Tip: Slice the kielbasa very thin so it browns on the edges in just a few minutes.
12. Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
What it is: Ditalini simmers with cooked chicken, celery, onion, herbs and chicken stock, then gets stirred with frozen mixed vegetables, parmesan and milk.
It tastes like chicken pot pie without making a crust. It is high in protein and full of vegetables kids already know. Tip: Use the meat from a rotisserie chicken to save time.
13. Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
What it is: Uncooked ditalini, chicken broth, cubed chicken, cottage cheese, pesto, broccoli and grape tomatoes bake together under mozzarella and parmesan.
It is a dump and bake dinner, so there is no pot of pasta to boil. You layer it in one 9×13 dish and let the oven do the work. Tip: Stir and flatten the pasta so the broth covers it before you add the chicken.
14. Marry Me Chicken Pasta
What it is: Tender chicken and penne get tossed in a seasoned cream sauce with sun dried tomatoes, spinach and basil.
It is ready in under 30 minutes in one skillet plus a pot for pasta. The creamy sauce helps the spinach go down easy. Tip: Boneless skinless chicken thighs can replace the breasts, and any short pasta like shells or rigatoni works.
15. Baked Spinach and Ricotta Pasta
What it is: Penne, blanched baby spinach, whole milk ricotta, eggs and half and half bake under fontina and parmesan.
It is a cheesy vegetarian main that feeds eight, and you can add any protein you like. It is a nice way to get a lot of greens on the table. Tip: Rigatoni or ziti can stand in for the penne.
Tips for Easy Pasta Dinners
- Save the pasta water. A splash of starchy water fixes a sauce that gets too thick.
- Cook it al dente. Pasta keeps softening in the sauce, and even more in a bake.
- Pick kid friendly shapes. Shells, rotini and mini penne hold sauce and are easy for small forks.
- Keep heat on the side. Leave out red pepper flakes and add them to grown up bowls.
- Lean on shortcuts. Rotisserie chicken, frozen veggies and jarred sauce get dinner on the table faster.
Pin this post to your favorite dinner board so you always have a pasta night idea ready to go.