8 Pasta Recipes That Make Dinner a No-Brainer

When you need dinner on the table but don’t want the hassle, pasta always comes to the rescue. These pasta recipes for easy dinners prove that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated, with one-pot dishes, casseroles, and foolproof flavor combinations that work every time.

From creamy carbonara to spicy sausage skillets, each dish delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal fuss. You’ll wonder why you ever stressed about weeknight dinners in the first place.

1. Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Chicken Parmesan Pasta in a bowl. — Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Skip the breading, frying, and multiple pans with this tasty one-pot approach to chicken parmesan. Everything simmers together in a big pot or pan, creating tender chicken bites coated in rich marinara and melted cheese that clings to every piece of rigatoni.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Pasta

2. Shrimp Carbonara

Shrimp carbonara topped with shrimp, bacon, and herbs. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

Eggs might sound like an odd choice to go in a pasta dish, but trust us, it makes the sauce so creamy and delicious! This pasta dish with shrimp and bacon will make you feel like you’re eating out at a restaurant, but it’s easy enough to make on busy nights since it’s ready in only 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara

3. Baked Feta Pasta

Baked feta pasta in a rectangular baking dish. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella

This viral TikTok recipe lives up to the hype with its genius hands-off method. Roasted cherry tomatoes combine with softened feta cheese, creating an instant sauce that’s tangy, creamy, and utterly addictive when tossed with your favorite pasta.

Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

4. Spicy Sausage and Pepper Pasta

Spicy sausage and pepper pasta in a bowl. — Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

Hot Italian sausage teams up with colorful bell peppers and jalapeños for a hearty dinner that brings just the right amount of heat. The beauty lies in cooking the pasta directly in the simmering tomato sauce, so every bite soaks up the flavors.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Sausage and Pepper Pasta

5. Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

Lemon chicken orzo pasta on a white plate with a slice of lemon. — Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits

Fresh lemon juice brightens every spoonful of this risotto-style dish. Orzo absorbs chicken broth and cream while tender chicken cooks alongside, then fresh spinach wilts right into the pot for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

6. Olive Garden Cheese Stuffed Shells

Olive Garden cheese stuffed shells on a white plate, served over marinara sauce. — Photo Credit: CopyKat

This Olive Garden copycat brings your favorite restaurant dish home with both marinara and alfredo drizzled over ricotta-stuffed jumbo shells. Toasted breadcrumbs on top add the perfect crunch, so tasty!

Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Cheese Stuffed Shells

7. Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Buffalo chicken pasta in a white skillet. — Photo Credit: Amanda’s Cookin’

All your favorite buffalo wing flavors come together in this creamy skillet dinner that everyone at the table will love. Cream cheese melts into hot sauce and diced tomatoes, coating penne in a rich sauce that delivers satisfying heat without being overwhelming.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta

8. Skillet Baked Ziti

Baked ziti in a black skillet, topped with melted cheese. — Photo Credit: Nourish and Fete

Build your sauce right in an oven-safe skillet, toss in the pasta, top with cheese, and slide it into the oven for that bubbly, golden finish. This recipe gives you all the comfort of traditional baked ziti with fewer dishes to wash and less fuss in the kitchen.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Baked Ziti