If your teen is hungry and tired of cereal, pasta is a smart place to start. These 15 simple recipes are easy to follow and don’t ask for fancy tools or ingredients. They’re fast, filling, and hard to mess up, which makes them perfect for beginners. Whether it’s a quick dinner or a late-night snack, these pasta ideas are easy wins.
Potato Gnocchi. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Rolled noodles filled with seasoned meat and melty cheese cook up soft and golden without taking all night. It’s way easier than making a full lasagna, but it still tastes just as cozy and filling. This is one of those simple pasta recipes teens can actually pull off without needing a lot of help.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Creamy Pea Pasta
A smooth green sauce made with peas and sharp cheese turns plain pasta into something fresh and full of flavor. It comes together in just a few steps and still feels like real comfort food. This is a smart, easy choice for teens who want to cook dinner without using a bunch of ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
A can of tuna and a few chopped tomatoes come together to make a pasta meal that feels simple but still tastes homemade. It’s fast, filling, and way more flavorful than you’d expect from pantry staples. This is the kind of recipe teens can count on when the fridge is almost empty but dinner still needs to happen.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Cacio e Pepe
A mix of grated cheese and black pepper coats each noodle in a creamy sauce that’s bold and comforting without needing anything fancy. It uses just a few ingredients but always delivers a ton of flavor. This is one of those easy pasta recipes teens can make any time they want something fast and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Chicken and Dumplings
Soft dumplings float in a warm broth with tender pieces of chicken and simple seasonings that bring everything together. It feels like something slow-cooked, but it doesn’t take much time or effort to make. This is a great recipe for teens who want to cook something cozy without getting overwhelmed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Potato Gnocchi
These soft, pillowy bites soak up sauce in the best way and always taste like something you’d get at a restaurant. They cook quickly and don’t need much more than butter or a bit of cheese to shine. This recipe is a good pick for teens who want to make something easy that still feels a little fancy.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Meatballs and Sauce
Juicy meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce that smells amazing while it cooks and tastes even better. Serve it with any pasta you have on hand, and it turns into a full dinner without much trouble. This simple recipe is perfect for teens who want something hearty without needing a long list of steps.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Big pasta shells get filled with creamy ricotta and spinach, then baked under melted cheese until everything is warm and soft. It’s comforting and filling without being hard to make or hard to like. This is a great dinner recipe teens can handle when they want something that looks impressive but is still easy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is made with sharp cheddar and real butter for a bold, rich flavor that’s way better than the boxed kind. It cooks fast and always feels like a step up from everyday dinners. Teens will like this one because it’s easy to make and still feels like something special.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Lemon Butter Pasta
Buttery noodles with a hit of lemon turn into a bright and simple meal that’s full of flavor without feeling heavy. You only need a few ingredients and about fifteen minutes to pull it all together. This is one of those easy pasta recipes teens can cook when dinner needs to happen fast, but still tastes good.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Soft orzo pasta gets tossed with juicy chicken, salty cheese, and simple spices for a meal that’s filling but still light. It’s quick to cook and doesn’t take much work, but it always tastes like more effort went into it. This is a smart recipe for teens who want something that looks good and tastes even better.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Spinach Orzo Salad
A mix of fresh spinach, soft orzo, and tangy cheese turns into a quick pasta salad that’s full of flavor and texture. A bit of lemon dressing pulls everything together without making it feel heavy. This recipe works well for teens who want something fast that doesn’t feel like the same old thing.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cheesy tortellini and shredded chicken float in a rich broth that’s packed with simple vegetables and flavor. It feels warm and filling like something homemade, but it doesn’t take all day to make. This is a great recipe for teens who want to try soup from scratch without making it too hard.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Veggie Pasta Salad
Crunchy peppers, fresh tomatoes, and cooked noodles come together with cheese and dressing for a cold pasta meal that’s quick and colorful. It’s easy to prep ahead or throw together at the last minute. Teens can count on this recipe when they want something simple that still looks and tastes fun.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pasta Salad
Homemade Orecchiette
These little pasta shapes are fun to make by hand and come out soft and chewy enough to grab every bit of sauce. They cook fast and don’t need much to feel like something special. This recipe is great for teens who want to try a new skill in the kitchen without a lot of stress.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Orecchiette