Some meals are easy to make and always hit the right note, no matter the season but especially this fall as the weather cools down. These 17 pasta recipes are simple, satisfying, and full of flavor, making them perfect for weeknight dinners, quick lunches, or easy meals any time of year. They come together fast, use ingredients you probably already have, and are reliable enough to keep on repeat whenever dinner needs to be simple, filling, and delicious.
Lemon Butter Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Stuff large pasta shells with creamy cheese and bake them in rich marinara until the flavors blend into a warm, hearty meal. The sauce bubbles around the cheese for a dish that feels satisfying without a lot of effort. These stuffed shells are a perfect choice to keep on repeat when a filling and easy dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Meatballs and Sauce
Simmer juicy meatballs in thick red sauce until the flavors are rich and comforting on the plate. The dish stays simple enough for weeknight cooking while still feeling like a full, hearty meal. This combination is great to keep on repeat when a reliable and satisfying pasta dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Cacio e Pepe
Toss pasta with grated cheese and freshly cracked black pepper for a meal that is simple but full of bold flavor. It comes together quickly and doesn’t need fancy ingredients to taste satisfying. This minimalist pasta is easy to make again and again when a fast, reliable dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Combine tender chicken, soft orzo, and salty feta for a pasta dish that’s simple but packed with flavor. It takes just a few steps to cook, but it still feels like a dish that matters on the plate. This easy dinner is perfect to keep on repeat when a filling and reliable pasta meal is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Veggie Pasta Salad
Mix bright vegetables, orzo, and crumbled feta for a pasta salad that’s colorful, fresh, and filling. It comes together quickly without losing flavor or texture and makes a light but satisfying meal. This easy pasta is perfect to keep on repeat for nights when simplicity and flavor are both needed.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pasta Salad
Lemon Butter Pasta
Whip together noodles with butter, lemon, and a touch of seasoning for a bright, flavorful pasta dish that feels light but satisfying. It cooks fast yet tastes like it took care to prepare. This simple, delicious dinner is ideal to keep on repeat when a quick and tasty meal is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Coat noodles in rich cheddar sauce for a mac and cheese that’s creamy, familiar, and a little special. It comes together easily and works well for kids and adults alike. This classic comfort pasta is perfect to keep on repeat when a filling, dependable meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Combine grape tomatoes, creamy ricotta, and pasta for a meal that’s fresh, satisfying, and ready in about 30 minutes. Minimal ingredients deliver plenty of flavor and a comforting texture with every bite. This easy pasta is perfect to keep on repeat for casual dinners that are simple but delicious.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Roll up layers of cheesy lasagna filling and bake them in sauce to make a dinner that has all the flavor of traditional lasagna with much less work. The rolls stay soft, hot, and flavorful while cooking faster than a full pan of lasagna. This dish is a pasta dinner to keep on repeat when a comforting, easy meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Chicken and Dumplings
Serve tender chicken with soft dumplings in a thick, savory broth that fills the plate with flavor. It comes together without a long prep but still feels hearty and satisfying. This dish is perfect to keep on repeat when a filling, easy pasta meal is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Spinach Orzo Salad
Toss orzo with fresh spinach, feta, and a light vinaigrette for a pasta salad that’s colorful, fresh, and filling enough to be a main meal. It comes together quickly and stays flavorful with every bite. This easy pasta is great to keep on repeat when a simple, satisfying dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Mix canned tuna with sweet tomatoes and pasta for a meal that comes together in minutes while still feeling full and satisfying. The flavors combine naturally for a dish that is reliable and easy to make. This pasta dinner is perfect to keep on repeat when a quick and tasty option is needed.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Creamy Pea Pasta
Cook sweet peas in a smooth, cheesy sauce and toss them with pasta for a dish that feels rich and filling. It cooks quickly with just a few ingredients but still tastes like a thoughtful, satisfying meal. This pasta is a dependable choice to keep on repeat for nights when simplicity and flavor matter.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Potato Gnocchi
Toss soft potato gnocchi with sage butter or pesto for a meal that feels rich, hearty, and satisfying. It comes together fast but still tastes like a complete dinner worth sharing. This gnocchi is perfect to keep on repeat when a filling, easy pasta dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Combine cheesy tortellini, tender chicken, and a veggie-packed broth for a soup that’s full of flavor and texture. It cooks quickly but still tastes like a meal you’d want again. This dish is great to keep on repeat when a simple and satisfying pasta dinner is needed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Cook spaghetti squash in the air fryer for a quick, healthy alternative to traditional pasta that still holds sauce well. It cuts calories but keeps the meal hearty enough to be satisfying. This pasta-style dish is perfect to keep on repeat when a light but easy dinner is wanted.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Avocado Pesto Pasta
Toss noodles with creamy avocado pesto and crispy garlic chickpeas for a fresh, flavorful, and filling meal. It comes together fast but still feels like a special, satisfying dinner. This pasta is ideal to keep on repeat when a healthy yet easy meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Pesto Pasta