9 Pasta Recipes for Weeknight Dinner

Pasta recipes fit right into comfort food weeknight dinner ideas. So many easy recipe you can whip up fast, or slow cook or even bake for dinner. Then there are the many noodle choices like, everyone’s favorite, macaroni and shells that soak up the sauce, penne pasta that pairs so well with seafood and of course those magnificently versatile spaghetti noodles.

There are so many different types of pasta you can cook for dinner. All pasta recipes are good if you ask me. You can bake pasta casseroles, make many different chicken and pasta dishes, shrimp and pasta recipes, cold pasta salad recipes, spaghetti recipes and so much more.

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9 Pasta Dishes To Make for Weeknight Dinner

1

Made from scratch and worth the extra effort is this Chicken Parmigiana recipe. The chicken is battered and browned before baking under your rich tomato sauce smothered in cheese. A great special occasion meal.

2.

This Cheesy Sausage Pasta Casserole is two layers of meaty cheesy goodness with Penne Pasta and spaghetti sauce. The best part is that it is on the table ready to eat in under one hours. This recipe is delicious leftover the next day too.

3.

Comfort food comes in many forms and my easy Classic Lasagna recipe is one of the most desired forms without a ton of ingredients. The blend of cheeses paired with ground beef and sausage will keep them coming back for seconds.

4.

Shrimp and pasta recipes are always good and this one is no exception. Lemony roasted shrimp, Penne pasta and vegetables and an optional pinch of crushed red pepper flakes make this lighter side dish loaded with flavor. A great meal anytime but especially in the summer months.

5.

Crockpot Three Cheese Stuffed Manicotti is slow-cooked in a meaty sauce. The slow cooking allows the flavors of the sauce and cheeses to marinate giving you a delicious pasta dinner. I have made this recipe with large pasta shells and Manicotti shells. We enjoyed it both ways.

6.

Kids love this Crockpot Broccoli & Sausage Macaroni Casserole because of the cheesy macaroni noodles. It’s a great one dish pasta dinner made in the slow cooker in about 2 hours. Yes! This complete meal cooks fast in the Crockpot making it a big winner.

7.

Spaghetti for supper has long been a quick and easy meal for busy cooks. One busy day at my house, I dumped a bag of frozen meatballs in the Crockpot and poured two jars of spaghetti sauce on top. Two hours later, the most delicious meat sauce was ready for my boiled spaghetti noodles. I have not looked back. Quick and easy Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.

8.

I tend to make this Tuna Pasta Salad more in the summer as a lighter dinner recipe. A great Saturday lunch idea. You can make it anytime. Everyone loves this pasta salad and it’s a great dish for potlucks.

9.

A rich and creamy pasta salad with a bite of crunch from fresh carrot sticks. The made from scratch dressing gets inside of the pasta shells to add loads of flavor to this Hawaiian Pasta Salad. If you are hosting a Luau, this dish can be made ahead and kept refrigerated.

What to serve with pasta?

Bread is the desired side dish to serve with pasta. If you are serving cheesy garlic bread or crusty Italian bread, you will want some Homemade Italian butter to dip it in, just like Carrabba’s.

Make our Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe. The dressing recipe is included.

A Classic Caesar Salad goes great with any Italian meal. Make your own including the tangy dressing with my Caesar Salad Recipe.

Basil Grilled Tomatoes are a great vegetable to serve on the side with any pasta dish.

What is the most popular pasta in the world?

According to the internet ~wink~, that is spaghetti noodles. It’s no wonder when that long skinny noodle can be used in so many different recipes with many different sauces.

Thank you for sharing!