20 Easy Pasta Recipes You Can Whip Up in Minutes

Blame it on my Italian descent, but I’ve loved pasta for as long as I can remember. Though there are countless ways to make a delicious pasta dish, I often reach for whichever seasonal vegetables I have in stock, toss them with any pasta I have on hand, and top it all off with lemon, herbs, and butter. The combination is completely foolproof, and nothing beats easy pasta recipes (especially with fresh pasta) when you’re short on time.

Whether spring or summer, angel-hair or bow-tie, a tasty pasta dish never fails to deliver (especially when shaved parmesan is involved). Click through to see our 20 favorite easy pasta recipes, and since these are just as are easy to make as they are mouth-watering, don’t be surprised if you struggle to pick just one to inspire your next meal!

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Roasted Cherry Tomato Cappellini from Yummy Mummy Kitchen

I’ve always been a sucker for a simple spaghetti dish like this one. Yummy Mummy recommends topping it off with either shrimp or prosciutto, but I think it’s equally delicious plain.

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Penne Bake With Spinach and Tomatoes by Bev Cooks

A baked pasta dish is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a dinner, in my opinion. The slight crisp of the topping and the warm, cheesy layers are to die for.

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Baby Pea, Asparagus, Prosciutto & Kale Spaghetti With Lemon and Macadamia Pangrattato by What Katie Ate

Easy pasta recipes like this one are a great way to sneak some green veggies into a pasta dinner. The asparagus and the crispy Panagratto on top add the perfect crunch to every bite.

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Roasted Cauliflower Pasta by Love and Lemons

Ever since I first tried cauliflower, I have yet to find a way to eat it that I don’t like, but this cauliflower pasta might just be my favorite. I took Love and Lemons’s tip to add crumbled feta on top and I highly recommend you do the same. 

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Vermicelli Tofu Noodle Bowl from Flourishing Foodie

This dish is my dream vacation to Vietnam in a bowl. I order take-out pho and pad thai way too often, so I can’t wait to recreate this similar dish at home.

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Grilled Kale and Red Pepper Tuscan Pasta Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Pasta salad is the perfect way to enjoy pasta in the heat of Texas summers. This kale and red pepper pasta salad with mozzarella and blue cheese are so fresh and healthy, while also being extremely satisfying.

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Pesto Pasta Primavera from Camille Styles

This pasta is summer in a bowl. Camille says this one-pan pasta “never fails to satisfy my carb cravings while filling my plate with loads of veggies that can be varied based on what’s in my fridge.”

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Fresh Pasta With Lemon, Rosemary, and Pine Nuts from Camille Styles

Speaking of fresh, this lemon, rosemary, and pine nut pasta will be your new favorite. Making the pasta from scratch is of course the ideal scenario, but in a time crunch, store-bought pasta works great, as well.

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20-Minute Lemon Pesto Penne from Pinch of Yum

You had me at 20 minutes. And then had me again at pesto. I love a good easy pasta recipe that also works great with whatever veggies I have in my refrigerator.

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Pasta Salad With Feta & Lemon-Tahini Dressing from Camille Styles

A pro tip from our food editor on this one: “Load up on the fresh herbs, they really are a gift from summer. Mint, basil, green onions, dill, anything you have in your garden (or kitchen!) will work great and add the best dose of freshness to this, and any salad.” — Suruchi Avasthi

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Herby Spaghetti Squash With Roasted Garlic, Kale, Fennel + Shallots by A Happy Hearted Kitchen

Spaghetti squash is no pasta, but wow does it come close in this dish. I seriously don’t even miss the spaghetti noodles because the flavor combination in this recipe is so delicious.

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No-Carb Pasta by The Londoner

A no-carb pasta that actually tastes good? Yes, please! This take on Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca is Italy on a plate.

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Brown Butter Pumpkin Pasta by Camille Styles

As far as easy pasta recipes go, this one is bound to impress anyone you serve it to. The flavor is so delicious that no one would suspect it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

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Spring Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes and Eggs by How Sweet It Is

I had my first egg-on-pasta experience a couple of years ago, and I have never been the same. Adding the egg just makes everything that much better and that much creamier. I prefer to fry mine, but poached eggs are delicious as well.

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Vegetarian Pasta Bolognese from Camille Styles

Camille surprised even herself with how satisfying this vegetarian bolognese is. She notes that veggies, herbs, and tomato sauce marinate together on the stove until it all gets a richness that’s incredibly satisfying and even a little meaty.

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Amended Pasta Frutti di Mare by Annette Joseph for Camille Styles

Next time you get your hands on some fresh seafood, this easy pasta recipe is what you need to make.

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Loaded Farfalle Pasta Salad from Spoon Fork Bacon

This pasta is equally gorgeous and delicious. The mini mozzarella balls and the fresh tomatoes will draw you in, and the surprising addition of the corn will make you want to stay.

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Chicken Pad Thai from Creme de la Crumb

Have I mentioned how much I love pad thai yet? Well, this one is better than take-out and ready in under 30 minutes. It is a dream come true.

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White Wine & Manchego Asparagus Carbonara from Happy Veggie Kitchen

The name of this pasta alone makes my mouth water. This is the perfect easy pasta recipe for Meatless Mondays… but you’ll want it every other day, too.

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Deconstructed Zucchini Manicotti from A Cozy Kitchen

This recipe is my favorite way to eat zucchini noodles which is partially due to how cute the spirals are. But really, this one is a must-try for curing your pasta cravings.

This post was originally published on March 6, 2015, and has since been updated.

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