15 Easy Pasta Recipes To Power You Through Anything

I love pasta. I could eat it almost every night of the week and not get bored. Pasta comes in so many different shapes and can be made into soups, salads, and a plethora of comforting dinners. What I don't love is when a recipe doesn't use the whole box.

As a recipe developer, I try hard to follow recipes as written. I know how much work goes into writing and testing recipes. But my best intentions go out the window when I see a pasta recipe that doesn’t use all 16 ounces. I refuse to leave four ounces behind, so I usually go ahead and use it all. Sometimes, my blatant disregard for a recipe works out fine, and sometimes, I regret my decision. 

I want to save you from my mistakes. It's easier to find a recipe that uses the whole box than I thought. And since some boxes of pasta weigh only 12 ounces, we included a few of those, too. Below are 15 weeknight-friendly pasta dishes that you and your family will love. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to use the rest of the can of tomato paste while I’m at it.

1. Pasta alla Norma

Recipe Developer Marianne Williams says, "You’ll find ricotta salata at some supermarkets, including Whole Foods, as well as cheese shops and specialty markets. If you can’t get your hands on some, swap for Pecorino Romano or even cotija cheese, which has a similar texture and saltiness."

2. Easy Pasta With Winter Greens

This striking pasta comes together faster than you'd think. Blanch Swiss chard in your boiling water before cooking the pasta. Then blend it with some pasta cooking water with lemon juice and zest, garlic, and a little Parm.

3. Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu

Unlike most ingredients, bigger pasta doesn’t take longer to cook than smaller pasta, so go ahead and swing for the thick and long paccheri. If you can't find it, rigatoni is a good substitute. Dinner is ready in 30 minutes flat.

4. Vegan Cacio e Pepe

Contributor Micah Siva says, "Nutritional yeast is the secret to the cheesy flavor in this vegan dish. Typically found in the health food or spice aisle, nutritional yeast not only tastes great but also has high amounts of B vitamins, which can be challenging to get in a vegan diet."

5. Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Get out your blender and make a zippy, refreshing pasta salad. Use the blender to make the dressing and then cook the pasta and chopped vegetables in the same pot. Any small pasta will work in place of the medium shells, so use what you have in the pantry. Add in a can of drained white beans for a full meal. 

6. Creamy Miso Mushroom Pasta

Miso and mushrooms add a savory umami flavor to a simple box of spaghetti noodles. Look for white miso in the refrigerated section near the tofu.

7. No-Cook Tomato Basil Pasta

You had me at no-cook. Instead of using heat to bring the ingredients together, this recipe uses the refrigerator. The trick is to use really ripe tomatoes. Stir the no-cook sauce into the warm linguine and enjoy.

8. One-Pot Mac and Cheese

Cook your macaroni directly in the sauce. Cream cheese is the key to this rich and creamy (and easy) mac and cheese.

9. Pasta Puttanesca

Make this classic Italian pasta dish whenever you need a comforting meal and don’t have time to go to the store. Stock anchovies, olives, capers, and canned tomatoes and make a restaurant-quality sauce in less than an hour. Serve over spaghetti or linguine.

10. Creamy One Pot Pasta with Zucchini

One pot pastas are the gold standard for weeknight cooking. As an added bonus, the mountain of shredded zucchini basically disappears in the finished dish.

11. Sausage, Asparagus, and Mustard Strozzapreti

Using quick-cooking proteins, hassle-free vegetables and a fun pasta shape will remind you why pasta night is your favorite night. Whole grain mustard, milder than Dijon, is ideal for this dish. Use penne or ziti in place of the strozzapreti if you like.

12. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (Pasta With Garlic and Oil)

The epitome of easy, this classic pasta is made with four ingredients and a couple seasonings. Though it’s always a good idea to save back some pasta water, you’ll be disappointed if you forget this time. Set a glass measuring cup next to the pot to help you remember.

13. Chicken Piccata Pasta

Classic flavors, updated presentation. Instead of serving the crispy chicken on the side, this recipe chops the chicken and adds it directly to the pasta and lemon sauce. Serve with a green salad.

14. Greek Pasta Salad

If you like pasta chock full of vibrant colors and flavors, then look no further than this Greek pasta salad. The olive oil dressing adds an herby undertone to the garden-fresh vegetables and pasta. As much as you may want to, don't skip soaking the sliced onion. You'll appreciate the way it mellows the flavor.

15. Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

Swap out mild-flavored fresh salmon for smoked salmon. Plus, it’s already cooked! The rest is easy. Cook pasta and mix it with chopped vegetables, lemon juice, and mayonnaise. Leftovers make a great lunch.