13 Easy Weeknight Pasta Dinners
There’s a reason pasta is the ultimate weeknight hero. It’s quick, comforting, endlessly versatile, and almost always a guaranteed win at the dinner table. Whether you’re craving something creamy, tomato-based, herb-forward, or packed with protein, pasta has a way of delivering big flavor without a complicated process.
This collection of 13 Easy Weeknight Pasta Dinners is all about meals that come together fast but still taste like you put in serious effort. Think rich, silky sauces, cozy baked pastas, bright lemony finishes, hearty meat sauces, and simple one-pan dishes that keep cleanup minimal.
These are the recipes you reach for after a long day. Satisfying, reliable, and always hitting the spot. Because when dinner needs to be easy, pasta rarely disappoints..
Spicy Fennel Sausage Pasta
This Spicy Fennel Sausage Pasta is bold, savory, and packed with weeknight flavor. Rich sausage and aromatic fennel come together in a sauce that’s slightly spicy and deeply satisfying, coating every strand of pasta. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comes together easily. Perfect when you want something comforting with a little kick.
2. Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Arugula
My Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Arugula is light, creamy, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Silky ricotta melts into warm pasta with bright lemon, while peppery arugula adds freshness and balance. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together quickly — the kind of effortless pasta that feels both comforting and refreshing..
3. Classic Bolognese Pappardelle
Rich, hearty, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight pasta. This Classic Bolognese has wide ribbons of pappardelle that are coated in a slow-simmered meat sauce that’s deep, savory, and full of flavor. It’s comforting, filling, and exactly the kind of pasta dinner that feels generous and satisfying at the end of a long day.
4. Basil & Garlic Pasta with Prosciutto and Buratta
Basil and Garlic Pasta with Prosciutto and Burrata is simple, flavorful, and weeknight-worthy with a touch of indulgence. Fragrant basil and garlic coat the pasta, while savory prosciutto adds depth and creamy burrata melts beautifully into every bite. It’s fresh yet satisfying, an easy pasta dinner that feels just a little elevated without extra effort.
5. Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sage
My Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sage is cozy, comforting, and perfect for an easy pasta night. Tender gnocchi pairs beautifully with sweet roasted butternut squash and fragrant sage, creating a warm, buttery flavor in every bite. It’s simple to pull together but tastes rich and satisfying, an ideal weeknight dinner when you’re craving something hearty and flavorful.
6. Bucatini all’Amatriciana
This Bucatini all’Amatriciana is bold, classic, and full of rich flavor. Perfect for an easy but satisfying pasta night. Thick strands of bucatini are coated in a savory tomato sauce with cured pork and finished with sharp Pecorino cheese. It’s simple, hearty, and packed with that comforting Italian flavor that never disappoints.
7. Salami, Artichoke & Burrata Pasta
Salami, Artichoke & Burrata Pasta is rich, savory, and full of bold flavor. Salty bites of salami and tender artichokes add depth to the pasta, while creamy burrata melts into the sauce for an indulgent finish. It’s a quick, flavor-packed dinner that feels elevated but still comes together easily on a busy weeknight.
8. Spaghetti alla Carbonara
This Spaghetti alla Carbonara is creamy, savory, and beautifully simple, a true weeknight classic. Silky egg-based sauce coats each strand of pasta, while crispy pancetta and sharp cheese add rich depth of flavor. It’s quick to make but feels indulgent and satisfying, making it a go-to pasta dinner that never fails.
9. Cacio e Pepe
My Cacio e Pepe recipe is simple, bold, and incredibly satisfying. With just pasta, Pecorino cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper, it transforms a few basic ingredients into a silky, creamy sauce that clings to every bite. It’s quick, classic, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner when you want something comforting without the extra fuss.
10. Spinach Ricotta Ravioli
Spinach Ricotta Ravioli is tender, creamy, and effortlessly comforting. Pillowy pasta pockets are filled with a smooth spinach and ricotta mixture, creating a rich yet balanced bite every time. Whether tossed in butter, finished with sauce, or simply topped with cheese, it’s an easy pasta dinner that feels classic and satisfying without being complicated.
11. Baked Penne Pasta with Ricotta
Baked Penne Pasta with Ricotta is cheesy, hearty, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Tender penne is layered with creamy ricotta and rich tomato sauce, then baked until bubbly and golden on top. It’s warm, filling, and crowd-pleasing, the kind of comforting pasta bake that always delivers
12. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Baked Macaroni and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and pure comfort in a dish. Tender pasta is coated in a rich, velvety cheese sauce and baked until golden and bubbly on top. It’s indulgent, satisfying, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that everyone at the table will happily dig into.
13. Lasagna with Garlic Ricotta
This Lasagna with Garlic Ricotta is layered, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. Creamy ricotta infused with garlic adds rich flavor between tender noodles and savory sauce, all baked until bubbly and golden. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for a weeknight when you want a pasta dinner that feels generous and completely filling.
Whether it’s a silky cream sauce, a bold tomato base, or a simple garlic-and-cheese classic, these dinners prove you don’t need complicated ingredients to create something seriously satisfying. With minimal prep and big flavor, pasta is the kind of meal you can rely on again and again.
Save this collection for busy nights, last-minute dinner decisions, or whenever you’re craving something warm and comforting. Because when in doubt, pasta always delivers.