Quick Weeknight Pasta Recipes Everyone Will Love

Pasta Recipes are an easy, dependable way to get dinner on the table quickly. Kids and adults alike tend to enjoy a warm bowl of pasta, and with so many variations, it’s simple to keep weeknight meals interesting.

35+ Pasta Recipes

Easy, Delicious Pasta Recipes For Your Family

Pasta is a timeless staple: versatile, quick to prepare, and endlessly customizable. From classic spaghetti and meatballs to inventive one-pot dishes, pasta can be dressed up or kept simple to suit any appetite or occasion. The recipes below focus on straightforward ingredients and clear directions so even beginning cooks can put together flavorful meals in a short amount of time.

This collection gathers easy-to-make pasta recipes that work for weeknights, casual gatherings, and make-ahead meals. Each entry includes a short description so you can quickly find the kinds of dishes your family will love, whether you’re craving creamy mac and cheese, seafood pastas, hearty meat sauces, or light pasta salads.

35+ Pasta Recipes

Easy Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

Easy Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

This easy spaghetti and meatballs recipe is made from scratch and is one of our favorite meals. Classic, comforting, and perfect for family dinners.

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs

Everyone loves Swedish meatballs. This recipe captures that classic, comforting flavor—perfect for recreating a nostalgic family favorite.

Mini Meatballs with Marinara

Mini Meatballs with Fresh Herb Marinara

Mini meatballs cooked directly in a fresh herb marinara make for a simple, flavorful classic that wins at the dinner table.

Swedish Meatball Orzo

Swedish Meatball Orzo

All the flavors of Swedish meatballs transformed into an easier pasta-style dish—less work, same delicious result.

Traeger Meatball Stuffed Shells

Traeger Meatball Stuffed Shells

Hearty stuffed shells filled with a seasoned meatball mixture—cheesy and substantial without being fussy.

Smoked Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Smoked Cincinnati Chili Recipe

A smoky take on Cincinnati chili with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice for unique, comforting flavor over pasta.

Breaded Stuffed Shells

Breaded Stuffed Shells

Cheesy shells are breaded and flash-fried for a crunchy exterior—great as an appetizer or served with meatballs for a meal.

Rotini with Meatball Marinara

Rotini with Meatball Marinara

Homemade rotini with meatball marinara is ideal for quick weeknights, make-ahead meals, or feeding a crowd.

Smoked Italian Meatball Rigatoni

Smoked Italian Meatball Rigatoni

A rich, hearty rigatoni full of smoked meatballs, cheese, and robust marinara—comfort food with bold flavor.

Creamy Parmesan Noodles

One Pot Creamy Parmesan Noodles with Asparagus

An easy one-pot pasta featuring creamy Parmesan and fresh asparagus—minimal fuss, maximum flavor.

Bison Bolognese

Bison Bolognese

A hearty meat sauce made with ground bison, tomatoes, and bell peppers, finished with a touch of crushed red pepper.

Pasta with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Pasta with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Savory, one-pot pasta in a mushroom cream sauce—simple, rich, and full of umami.

Traeger Grilled Lasagna

Traeger Grilled Lasagna

An easy homemade lasagna layered with a hearty meat sauce, cottage cheese, ricotta, and plenty of mozzarella.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Simple, one-pot homemade mac and cheese—always a family favorite, great as a main or a side.

Grilled Broccoli Chicken Divan

Grilled Broccoli Chicken Divan

A cheesy broccoli and chicken divan baked on the pellet grill—simple to prepare and family-approved.

Shrimp Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil

Shrimp Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil

Simple Mediterranean flavors—shrimp, fresh tomatoes, basil—combine for a bright, crowd-pleasing pasta.

Tortellini Soup with Meatballs and Spinach

Tortellini Soup with Meatballs and Spinach

A hearty soup loaded with meatballs, cheese-filled tortellini, spinach, and tomatoes—comforting and quick to make.

Farfalle with Meat Sauce

Farfalle with Meat Sauce

A beloved hot dish: farfalle tossed in a rich meat sauce that’s perfect for feeding a hungry family.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Classic mac and cheese with a buffalo kick—ranch and hot sauce turn this into a spicy, satisfying meal.

Nashville Hot Chicken Mac and Cheese

Nashville Hot Chicken Mac and Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese topped with spicy, seasoned breadcrumbs for a Nashville-style crunch and heat.

Veal Parmesan

Veal Parmesan

Classic veal Parmesan—breaded veal cutlets topped with marinara and melted cheese for an impressive, easy dinner.

Spicy Shrimp Marinara

Spicy Shrimp Marinara

Bold and spicy shrimp marinara with garlic, onions, tomatoes, a splash of white wine, and Parmesan.

Mock Lasagna

Mock Lasagna

An easy lasagna casserole that requires no layering—uses thin mafalde-style noodles for a simplified approach.

Pellet Grill Skillet Lingcod with Wine and Garlic

Pellet Grill Skillet Lingcod with Wine and Garlic

A light, fresh dish cooked on the pellet grill—lingcod simmered with wine and garlic for delicate flavor in under an hour.

Pellet Grill Feta Pasta

Pellet Grill Feta Pasta

A grilled take on the viral baked feta pasta—smoky, hands-off, and full of roasted flavor.

Spot Prawn Linguine

Spot Prawn Linguine

Spot prawn linguine in a wine, garlic, and herb sauce—elegant, bright, and seafood-forward.

Smoked Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

Smoked Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

Smoked chicken thighs paired with tangy Gorgonzola create a hearty, cheesy pasta salad that works as a meal or barbecue side.

Traeger Feta Pasta with Sausage and Bell Peppers

Traeger Feta Pasta with Sausage and Bell Peppers

A flavorful, mostly hands-off pasta sauce made on the grill—try with ravioli or your favorite pasta shape.

Spot Prawns with Vodka Cream Sauce

Spot Prawns with Vodka Cream Sauce

Creamy vodka sauce paired with tender shrimp or spot prawns—rich, indulgent, and ideal for a special weeknight.

Easy White Fish with White Wine Bell Pepper Sauce

Easy White Fish with White Wine Bell Pepper Sauce

Fresh white fish simmered in a sauce of bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, butter, and white wine—simple and delicious.

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro

A classic penne pomodoro—fresh tomatoes, basil, and simple ingredients topped with creamy burrata for an extra-special finish.

Traeger Boursin Pasta

Traeger Boursin Pasta

Simple and customizable, this Boursin pasta is great as a side or main and pairs well with fresh vegetables and herbs.

Creamy Smoked Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

Smoked Chicken Greek Pasta Salad

A creamy Greek-style pasta salad using Greek yogurt, sour cream, and a touch of mayo—bright, tangy, and satisfying.

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

A hearty homemade spaghetti and meat sauce—reliable, freezer-friendly, and perfect for a weekly family meal.

Traeger Smoked Cream Cheese Pasta

Traeger Smoked Cream Cheese Pasta

Smoked cream cheese combined with tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach then tossed with pasta and a splash of white wine—smoky and indulgent.

Traeger Cheesy Italian Shells

Traeger Cheesy Italian Shells

A homemade version of cheesy Italian shells with smoked meat for added depth and robust flavor.

Traeger Creamy Chicken Pasta

Traeger Creamy Chicken Pasta

Creamy pasta sauce made over live wood fire with tender chicken, fresh Parmesan, and crisp bell peppers for smoky depth.

Traeger Pizza Pasta Hotdish

Traeger Pizza Pasta Hotdish

Rotini loaded with pepperoni, marinara, pizza sauce, and ground beef—an easy, family-friendly crowd pleaser.

Clam Linguine

Clam Linguine

Homemade clam linguine ready in under an hour—briny, bright, and surprisingly simple to prepare at home.

Miso Brown Butter Udon

Miso Brown Butter Udon

Savory udon tossed with miso and brown butter—quick to assemble and a perfect base for your preferred protein.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun chicken pasta that’s quick to make, full of bold seasoning, and makes flavorful leftovers for lunch.

Shrimp Udon with Brown Butter Miso

Shrimp Udon with Miso Brown Butter

Fresh noodles, vegetables, and shrimp combined with miso brown butter for a rich, umami-packed bowl.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

A simple, incredibly flavorful pasta of olive oil, garlic, pasta water, and parsley—add shrimp if you like for extra protein.