30 Mouthwatering Pasta Dinner Recipes to Satisfy Every Craving

Hey pasta lovers! 🍝 If you’re anything like me, there’s never a wrong time for a comforting bowl of pasta.

Whether you’re craving something creamy, cheesy, or packed with fresh veggies, pasta has a way of hitting the spot like no other.

That’s why I’ve rounded up 30 of the most irresistible pasta dinner recipes to add to your repertoire.

From classic favorites to inventive twists, there’s something here for every pasta aficionado to enjoy!

pasta dinner recipes for busy weeknights

1. Spaghetti Carbonara

spagethi carbornoa
  • Cook spaghetti until al dente, then toss with crispy pancetta, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper for a rich and creamy dish that’s sure to please.

2. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

  • Sauté garlic in butter until fragrant, then whisk in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese for a luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta.

3. One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta

  • Cook chicken breast in a skillet, then add the fettuccine, chicken broth, cream, and Parmesan cheese for a decadent Alfredo pasta that’s ready in no time.

4. Pesto Shrimp Linguine

  • Toss cooked linguine with homemade or store-bought pesto sauce and sautéed shrimp for a vibrant and flavorful meal that’s perfect for seafood lovers.

5. Baked Ziti

This one has been my favorite since my childhood.

  • Mix cooked ziti pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden brown for a comforting classic that’s always a hit.

6. Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

  • Sauté shrimp in garlic-infused butter, then toss with cooked pasta, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley for a bright and zesty dish that’s bursting with flavor.

7. Tomato Basil Penne

  • Sauté diced tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil in olive oil, then toss with cooked penne pasta and grated Parmesan cheese for a simple yet satisfying meal that celebrates the flavors of summer.

8. Spicy Sausage Rigatoni

  • Brown spicy Italian sausage in a skillet, then simmer with marinara sauce and cooked rigatoni pasta for a hearty and flavorful dish that packs a punch.

9. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

  • Sauté sliced mushrooms and minced garlic in butter, then stir in Arborio rice and gradually add chicken broth until creamy and tender for a luxurious and comforting risotto.

10. Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff

  • Sauté sliced mushrooms and onions in butter, then add cooked beef strips and sour cream for a rich and savory stroganoff sauce that’s perfect for ladling over egg noodles.

11. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

  • Stuff cooked jumbo pasta shells with a mixture of ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, then bake in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden brown for a crowd-pleasing vegetarian meal.

12. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

  • Sauté Cajun-spiced chicken breast in a skillet, then add cream, diced tomatoes, and cooked fettuccine pasta for a creamy and spicy pasta dish that’s sure to wake up your taste buds.

13. Shrimp Scampi Linguine

  • Sauté shrimp in garlic-infused olive oil, then toss with cooked linguine, lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine, and chopped parsley for a light and refreshing seafood pasta that’s perfect for summer.

14. Caprese Pasta Salad

  • Toss cooked rotini pasta with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, chopped basil, and balsamic vinaigrette for a colorful and flavorful pasta salad that’s great for picnics and potlucks.

15. Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

  • Roast cubed butternut squash until tender, then blend with cream, Parmesan cheese, and sage until smooth for a creamy and comforting sauce that’s perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta shape.

16. Mushroom and Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Sauté sliced mushrooms and fresh spinach in butter, then toss with cooked fettuccine and Alfredo sauce for a vegetarian twist on a classic comfort food favorite.

17. Lemon Asparagus Pasta

  • Sauté asparagus spears in garlic-infused olive oil, then toss with cooked spaghetti, lemon zest, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese for a light and refreshing pasta dish that’s perfect for spring.

18. Chicken Pesto Tortellini

  • Sauté diced chicken breast in a skillet, then toss with cooked cheese tortellini and pesto sauce for a quick and easy pasta dinner that’s packed with flavor.

19. Baked Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

  • Mix cooked macaroni with creamy spinach and artichoke dip, then bake until bubbly and golden brown for a decadent and indulgent twist on classic mac and cheese.

20. Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta

  • Sauté diced onions and crushed red pepper flakes in olive oil, then simmer with marinara sauce and cooked penne pasta for a fiery and flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for spice lovers.

21. Chicken Florentine Pasta Bake

  • Mix cooked penne pasta with diced cooked chicken, sautéed spinach, Alfredo sauce, and mozzarella cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden brown for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

22. Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Pesto Pasta

  • Toss cooked spaghetti with sun-dried tomato pesto, chopped fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese for a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for summer.

23. Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna

  • Layer cooked lasagna noodles with a creamy mushroom and spinach mixture, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden brown for a vegetarian twist on classic lasagna.

24. Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus

  • Sauté shrimp and asparagus spears in garlic-infused butter, then toss with cooked linguine, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley for a light and refreshing seafood pasta dish that’s perfect for spring.

25. Bolognese Stuffed Shells

  • Stuff-cooked jumbo pasta shells with a rich and savory Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, then bake until bubbly and golden brown for a comforting and satisfying meal.

26. Creamy Pumpkin Sage Pasta

  • Sauté minced garlic and fresh sage in butter, then stir in canned pumpkin puree, cream, and Parmesan cheese until smooth for a creamy and comforting pasta sauce that’s perfect for fall.

27. Shrimp and Scallop Scampi

  • Sauté shrimp and scallops in garlic-infused olive oil, then toss with cooked linguine, lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine, and chopped parsley for a light and luxurious seafood pasta dish that’s perfect for date night.

28. Mushroom and Spinach Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

  • Cook store-bought mushroom and spinach ravioli until al dente then toss with a nutty brown butter sage sauce and grated Parmesan cheese for a quick and easy pasta dinner that’s bursting with flavor.

29. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

  • Sauté diced chicken breast in a skillet, then add sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cream, and Parmesan cheese for a creamy and flavorful pasta dish that’s inspired by the flavors of Tuscany.

30. Pesto Tortellini Primavera

  • Sauté bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus spears in garlic-infused olive oil, then toss with cooked cheese tortellini and pesto sauce for a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish that’s packed with fresh veggies.

There you have it, folks! Thirty mouthwatering pasta dinner recipes to satisfy every craving and inspire your next culinary adventure.

Whether you’re in the mood for something creamy, cheesy, or bursting with fresh flavors, there’s a pasta dish here for you. So grab your apron and get cooking! 🍝

Don’t forget to pin this for later!

pasta dinner recipes for weeknights

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