Slow weekends call for meals that bring comfort without extra work. Pasta is the kind of dish that feels special while staying simple, and it is always a safe pick when you want dinner to come together with ease. These 31 simple and delicious pasta dishes are perfect for filling your weekend with flavor and giving you more time to relax.
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Creamy Pea Pasta
A smooth pea sauce coats each strand of pasta, giving it a mix of fresh flavor and rich creaminess. This is one of those simple and delicious pasta dishes perfect for a slow and easy weekend because it only takes a few minutes to make. Even with just a few ingredients, the result is filling, cozy, and proof that easy recipes can taste special.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Lemon Butter Pasta
A bright touch of lemon mixed with silky butter turns plain pasta into something full of flavor. It is one of the easiest pasta dishes you can make, yet it feels complete and satisfying every time. This is the kind of recipe perfect for a slow and easy weekend when you want comfort without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Italian Meatball Soup
Tender meatballs, pasta, and a savory broth come together in a bowl that feels like a full meal on its own. The flavors are rich, but the steps are simple, making it one of those delicious pasta dishes anyone can pull off. This soup proves that a recipe can be hearty and still easy enough for a slow weekend dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Juicy chicken, salty feta, and orzo pasta bring a mix of flavors that feel balanced and filling. This is an easy pasta dish that comes together quickly but tastes like something you worked hard on. It is one of those simple recipes perfect for a slow and easy weekend because it gives comfort without taking up all your time.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Cacio e Pepe
Pasta, cheese, and black pepper may sound simple, but together they make a dish that feels rich and full of flavor. This is one of the fastest pasta recipes to prepare, yet it never fails to feel satisfying and special. It is a perfect example of a simple and delicious pasta dish that fits right into a slow weekend meal.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Juicy tomatoes and creamy ricotta blend into pasta for a dish that feels light but is still filling. It takes only about half an hour, making it a smart choice when you want something quick but good. This is one of those delicious pasta dishes that make a slow and easy weekend dinner feel worth sitting down for.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cheesy tortellini floats with chunks of chicken in a broth that feels both hearty and comforting. The recipe is simple enough to make quickly but still delivers the flavor of a full dinner. This is the kind of easy pasta soup that works perfectly for a slow and easy weekend meal when you want warmth and ease together.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Homemade Orecchiette
Shaping small orecchiette by hand adds texture that holds sauce in every curve, making each bite more satisfying. Even though it feels like a special recipe, it is still simple enough for any home cook to make. It is one of those delicious pasta dishes that proves homemade can also be easy and perfect for a relaxed weekend dinner.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Orecchiette
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes turn classic mac and cheese into something richer and more filling. Baked until bubbling, it gives you a dish that feels warm, creamy, and comforting without much work. This easy pasta recipe is perfect for a slow and easy weekend because it tastes like a treat without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Potato Gnocchi
Soft gnocchi have a pillowy texture that makes every bite feel cozy and comforting. Even though it looks like a special dinner, it comes together with less effort than most people expect. Tossed with any sauce, it becomes one of those simple and delicious pasta dishes that make a slow weekend feel more complete.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Chicken and Dumplings
Pieces of tender chicken simmer with fluffy dumplings in a broth that soaks up every bit of flavor. The recipe is simple but filling, making it a dependable choice for a slow and easy weekend meal. Every serving shows that comfort and ease can come together in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Mild tuna mixes with juicy tomatoes and pasta for a meal that feels light but still satisfying. This easy recipe takes little time and works well for lunch or dinner. It is one of those simple pasta dishes perfect for a slow and easy weekend because it brings flavor without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Rolled pasta stuffed with sauce and cheese gives you all the flavor of lasagna in a quicker format. The dish is hearty, cheesy, and simple to serve without hours of cooking. It is a smart choice for anyone wanting a delicious pasta dish perfect for a slow and easy weekend.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Meatballs and Sauce
Juicy meatballs simmer in tomato sauce for a dinner that always feels filling and complete. The flavors are deep, but the steps are easy, making it a recipe that never gets old. It is one of those pasta dishes perfect for a slow and easy weekend when you want classic comfort with little work.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Spaghetti Casserole
Spaghetti baked with layers of sauce and cheese creates a dish that feels warm and familiar. It is easy to make and gives you the kind of flavors that everyone enjoys. This is one of those delicious pasta dishes that work well for a slow and easy weekend when you want something crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole
Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta
Ground walnuts turn into a creamy sauce that clings to pasta in every bite. The nutty flavor makes it stand out while still being easy to prepare in little time. It is a delicious pasta dish that proves simple recipes can be special and perfect for a slow and easy weekend.
Get the Recipe: Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta
Avocado Pesto Pasta
Creamy avocado blended into pesto makes a silky sauce that coats pasta with fresh flavor. This recipe is quick, simple, and ready in minutes while still tasting rich and satisfying. It is one of those easy pasta dishes perfect for a slow and easy weekend when you want something light but filling.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Pesto Pasta
Meatball Pasta Bake
Tender meatballs mix with pasta, sauce, and cheese in a casserole that bakes into bubbling comfort. The steps are simple, making it one of the easiest pasta dishes to prepare when you need dinner without fuss. It is perfect for a slow and easy weekend because it delivers flavor with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon
Ribbons of asparagus mix with pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce topped with crispy bacon. The result is rich, simple, and ready in about 30 minutes. It is a delicious pasta dish that feels comforting while still being quick enough for a slow and easy weekend dinner.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon
Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Pasta, beans, and vegetables simmer in a broth that tastes rich and homemade. The recipe is easy to put together yet feels filling enough to serve as dinner. It is one of those simple pasta dishes perfect for a slow and easy weekend when you want comfort in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon
Kick off your weekend with a pasta salad that mixes ranch dressing, pasta, and crispy bacon into one filling dish. It works just as well as a side or a main, so you can serve it however the day feels. With simple flavors that everyone likes, this one makes weekends taste even better.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Make your weekend dinner feel extra special with a cheesy spinach and ricotta lasagna. The layers bake into a hearty dish that pleases both vegetarians and meat lovers alike. It is the kind of comfort food that feels right when you have time to relax at home.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta
Add a little spice to your weekend with this chicken and Romano pasta dish. It is quick to prepare but full of bold flavor, giving your meal something exciting without extra effort. Perfect for a night when you want dinner to bring some heat without stealing your time.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Romano Chicken Pasta
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Settle into the weekend with a classic tuna noodle casserole baked in a creamy sauce. This recipe makes plenty for the family and even reheats well for the next day. It is an easy way to feed everyone without fuss while enjoying your downtime.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Brighten up a slow weekend meal with this salmon pasta salad tossed in creamy dressing. It comes together fast and works as either a light main dish or a hearty side. The fresh flavors make it feel like a smart, simple choice when you want to keep things easy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Creamy Tomato and Sausage Penne
Make your weekend dinner simple but rich with this penne pasta coated in creamy tomato sauce and sausage. It is quick to pull together and gives you a filling meal without much work. A bowl of this makes staying in feel like the best choice.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato and Sausage Penne
Spicy Harissa Pasta
Bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your weekend table with creamy and spicy harissa pasta. It is plant-based, easy to make, and full of bold flavor that keeps dinner interesting. With every bite, you get a mix of spice and comfort that suits a slow night in.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Harissa Pasta
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Bake up a warm chicken noodle casserole to make your weekend feel hearty and complete. The mix of chicken, noodles, broccoli, and cheese under a crisp topping is both filling and simple to make. It is the kind of dish that makes staying home feel like the right move.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole
Classic Minestrone Soup
Slow down with a bowl of classic minestrone soup packed with pasta, beans, and vegetables. It is simple, filling, and doesn’t need a long list of steps to bring together. A pot of this soup makes weekends feel more relaxed and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Classic Minestrone Soup
Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop
Treat yourself this weekend with pasta in a buttery Beurre Blanc sauce topped with a golden scallop. It feels special enough for a fancy night but is still easy enough for home cooking. This is a recipe worth lingering over at the table.
Get the Recipe: Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop
Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles
Make your weekend dinner quick and satisfying with a stir fry of noodles, beef, shrimp, and vegetables. It cooks fast but feels filling, making it a smart pick when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The mix of flavors and textures keeps the meal exciting without much work.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles