20 easy pasta recipes ready in under 45 minutes
Channel your inner Italian with these easy pasta recipes to enjoy any night of the week.
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Pasta is one of our favorite weekday and weekend meals because it’s cheap, easy, and endlessly versatile (oh, and absolutely delicious). From cheesy and decadent pastries to lighter, vegetable-based dishes, pastas work well in any situation. Scroll through this article to discover 20 satisfying and easy pasta recipes that all come together in under 45 minutes.
Related: 21 Types of Pasta Every Carb and Comfort Food Lover Should Know
Caprese Mac and Cheese
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Macaroni and cheese can be very rich, but this interpretation is lighter thanks to a touch of freshness from the tomatoes and basil. To complete the Caprese trio, there’s also plenty of creamy mozzarella.
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No-cook summer vegetarian lasagna
There’s no béchamel in this bright vegetarian lasagna: just seasoned ricotta and fresh summer vegetables with oregano and garlic.
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Instant risotto with peas and crispy salami
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The Instant Pot is perhaps the easiest method for making risotto at home, and it gets the job done in just 35 minutes. This recipe has a Spanish touch thanks to the salami and smoked paprika.
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Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
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Sausage and broccoli rabe go together deliciously, flavorful and satisfying, and moist, quick-cooking gnocchi are the perfect accompaniment to them.
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Tortellini and vegetables in broth
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This recipe is a spring version of a classic Italian recipe; lemon zest and greens enhance and brighten the wintery tortellini-filled broth.
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Orzotto with mushrooms and burrata
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Yes, you can make orzo risotto, and it takes much less time than regular risotto. Roasted mushrooms, torn burrata and chopped parsley bring the wow factor.
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Spaghetti Pasta Salad with Avocado-Basil Vinaigrette
Pasta salads aren’t usually made with spaghetti, but there’s no real reason why they shouldn’t be. This version is coated in a luscious avocado-basil vinaigrette that comes together quickly in a blender.
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Creamy Butternut Squash and Leek Pasta
Here, a creamy pasta sauce is made with butternut squash puree and half and half. Along with the squash-based sauce, curly leeks and sage give this dish a warm fall flavor.
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Easy Artichoke Pasta Mix
Marinated jarred artichokes are the secret to this easy pasta dish, which pairs well with nutty Parmesan and crushed red pepper.
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Related: 44 Perfect Pasta Recipes You’ll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight (And Every Night)
Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Instead of tossing broccoli stalks, slice and roast them, then toss them into pesto. We like to use whole wheat pasta with this earthy pesto, but any type of pasta works.
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Whole wheat pasta with chard and pine nuts
This recipe limits food waste by using both Swiss chard leaves and stems. Garlic and anchovies flavor the dish, while toasted pine nuts are a great finishing touch.
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Cheese and black pepper
Transport yourself to Italy with classic Roman pasta cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper). Although cacio e pepe looks and tastes fancy, it actually only requires five ingredients and 25 minutes of your time.
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Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
Sherry vinegar and fresh tarragon balance the richness of this creamy chicken and mushroom pasta.
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Linguine with cherry tomato sauce
This simple cherry tomato sauce starts with melted pancetta, which gives it a deep, meaty flavor.
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Lemon Spaghetti with Sardines and Breadcrumbs
Fans of canned fish will love this chic pasta recipe, which uses a can of sardines packed in olive oil along with lots of herbs and breadcrumbs. Sardines love lemon, so this recipe includes both lemon juice and zest.
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Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese features a generous amount of Swiss chard sautéed in butter for color and nutritional value.
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Quick Linguine and Clam Sauce
Clam linguine may seem complicated, but it couldn’t be simpler thanks to canned clams and clam juice, which deliver briny flavor without the fuss.
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Spring pasta salad
On a spring day, this colorful pasta salad is just what you need to make. The dressing includes shallot and Dijon mustard, and the pasta is studded with crisp-tender snow peas and radishes.
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Related: 8 Pasta Mistakes That Ruin Your Meal
Pasta with bacon and caramelized cauliflower
There aren’t a lot of ingredients in this recipe, but each one packs a punch. Cook the cauliflower in the leftover bacon cooking fat to deepen its flavor, and toss everything at the end with butter, Pecorino Romano, and reserved pasta water for a silky sauce.
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Spicy langoustines with shrimp and angel hair pasta
Delicate, quick-cooking angel hair pasta pairs well with tender garlic shrimp for an elegant dinner ready in no time.
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