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Pasta Dinner Ideas

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Tired of making the same pasta recipes on repeat? Check out these family-friendly pasta dinner ideas.

Whether you pick pasta with vegetables, chicken, shrimp, cheese, or just sauce, there’s one for you to try in the recipes below!

Pasta Dinner Recipes

Get ready to enjoy the best pasta dinner ideas on the Internet! These easy pasta recipes are the perfect midweek meal solution: simple, quick, hearty, and delicious!

large skillet filled with chicken pesto pasta

Pesto Chicken Pasta

Every bite of penne and chicken is coated with delicious basil pesto! It’s a simple dish everyone will love.

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side view of white plate full of sun dried tomato pasta and chicken strips

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

A tasty restaurant-style meal that it’s made in just one large skillet and it’s ready in only 30 minutes!

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large bowl of lasagna soup

Crockpot Lasagna Soup

A simple version of classic lasagna, with hearty ground beef and rich tomato broth that make this dish full of flavors and protein. And the best part: the crockpot makes all the work!

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Zesty Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Comfort food with all the flavors of cheese, chicken, bacon, and a delicious crispy au gratin crust.

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large bowl of chicken pot pie pasta

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

Enjoy the classic chicken pot pie with this easy recipe that you can cook on the stove-top in just 20 minutes using pasta, veggies, and chicken leftovers.

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closeup of salmon pesto pasta with tomatoes

Quick Salmon Pesto Pasta

Quick, easy, and tastes like it came from your favorite Italian restaurant. It’s really that good.

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Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Pasta

One of the best pasta dinner ideas for adding veggies and protein to your meals. Not a fan of broccoli? Swap it out for other veggies!

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homemade pumpkin pasta in a white plate topped with cheese.

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

All the creamy texture of Alfredo sauce but lighter! A luxurious and savory pasta made with cheese, pumpkin puree, and a touch of cream.

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bowtie pasta in a skillet with shrimp and grape tomatoes

Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

A wholesome dinner that your family will love and you need just a few ingredients to make it happen. Pasta, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, pesto, and, of course, cheese!

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large plate of fettuccine alfredo with shredded parmesan cheese in the background

Simple Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce with Cream

With this homemade recipe, you will know how to make easy and quick Alfredo sauce with cream.

 

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Cajun Jambalaya Pasta Salad

All the New Orleans flavors in a recipe you can make ahead of time! Cook some extra servings and pack them for office or school lunches.

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large skillet of creamy chicken pasta

Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

The flavor of this Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta proves that simple recipes can taste amazing! Enjoy this easy chicken dish.

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Stovetop Lasagna

Taking lasagna for dinner has never been so easy! In only 30 minutes, enjoy all the classic lasagna flavors with this easy pasta dinner idea.

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large dish of salsa verde chicken pasta with a fork-full pulled up

Salsa Verde Chicken Pasta

One-skillet pasta dinner ideas that are ready to eat in less than 20 minutes? This cheesy, creamy pasta with a smoky kick is the answer!

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Slow Cooker Parmesan Chicken Soup

The slow cooker makes all the work in this comfort food dinner made with pasta, chicken, cheese, and a delicious tomato broth. Yummy!

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Easy Spaghetti Carbonara

Bring all the Italian flavors directly to your dining room with this delicious carbonara. The easy, quick, and one-skillet meal you will want to cook every week!

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large bowl of spinach tortellini with large skillet of the same in the background of image

Creamy Spinach Tortellini

The perfect restaurant-style bowl of warm and cheesy pasta! Tortellini, spinach, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese are the stars of this tasty dinner recipe.

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instant pot chili mac

Instant Pot Chili Mac

When you need pasta dinner ideas made with ingredients that are already in your pantry, Chilli Mac comes to the rescue! Easy, quick, and yummy!

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two large plates of spaghetti and vegetarian meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatless Meatballs

A vegetarian and nutritious version of one of the most popular pasta dishes. It’s made with easy-to-find and affordable ingredients!

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Tomato Tortellini Soup: Delicious and easy, plus soup can be a whole meal in a bowl, so it makes it super easy when feeding a large family.

Easy Tortellini Soup Recipe

This terrific soup is a whole meal in a bowl, super easy to make, and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.

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Spaghetti Bolognese

Try it once, and double the recipe next time! Everybody will be satisfied with this epic pasta!

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beef goulash in a skillet with a wooden spoon

One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

A crowd-pleaser, hearty one-pot goulash with irresistible melted cheese and full of delicious flavors!

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Related: Transform these meals into epic lunches with pasta

Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipes 

While you can buy pasta sauce at the store you can easily make your own at home with just a few ingredients. Here are a few sauces for you to try for your next pasta night:

  • Homemade Alfredo Sauce
  • Broccoli Pesto
  • Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
  • Crockpot Tomato Sauce

What Goes Well with Pasta for Dinner

Pasta is a complete meal by itself, but I know some of you may like to add some veggies as a side dish. Baked vegetables or mixed greens are an awesome choice! Check these quick recipes that go great with the pasta dinner ideas:

  • Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Carrot Fries
  • Butternut Squash with Parmesan
  • Green Bean Fries 
  • Roasted Fall Vegetables
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Pasta Dinner Ideas

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Get ready to enjoy the best pasta dinner ideas on the Internet! These easy recipes are the perfect midweek meal solution.

  • Author: Laura Fuentes
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6

Ingredients

  • 12-ounces pasta, any
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-pint cherry tomatoes
  • 4-ounce jar pesto
  • 1-pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • ¼ cup pasta water, reserved
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, add the pesto sauce, shrimp, and ¼ cup pasta water. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
  3. Add the cooked pasta to the shrimp mixture and toss to combine with sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Equipment

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Meal Prep’d

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Large Skillet

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 421
  • Sugar: 2.6 g
  • Sodium: 354.4 mg
  • Fat: 15.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44.9 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 25.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 124 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

More Pasta

  • Simple Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce with Cream
  • Easy Cajun Salmon Pasta
  • Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
  • Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Recipe

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. kim

    October 05, 2022 at 11:58 am

    OBSESSED with all these pasta dinners!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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