If weeknight dinners are starting to feel repetitive, consider this your easy refresh: pasta with a bit of style. These recipes don’t require any complicated steps or hours in the kitchen — they’re designed to upgrade your usual noodles with minimal effort. Simple methods, bold flavors, and just enough flair to make dinner feel less like a routine and more like a treat.
Creamy Tomato Farfalle
Need dinner in 20 minutes? This creamy tomato farfalle has you covered. With peas and crispy prosciutto, it’s quick, filling, and doesn’t waste your time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Farfalle
Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese with a smart swap—Greek yogurt keeps it creamy and lighter. You’ll get that cheesy comfort without the extra baggage. Perfect for a quick, easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta
This Mediterranean-style pasta with lemon, spinach, and feta hits all the right notes. Easy, quick, and great for when you just need dinner to be done.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
One-pot, 30 minutes, and way better than anything from a box. Turkey, spinach, peppers, and real cheddar make this mac and cheese a weeknight winner without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Creamy Pumpkin Garlic Pasta
Craving fall vibes? This creamy pumpkin garlic pasta gets it done. It’s simple, cozy, and ready to squash any dinner doubts.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Garlic Pasta
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Light, fresh, and fast. This lemon ricotta pasta is all about keeping it simple but satisfying. Basil, tomatoes, and ricotta make it great for any night you need dinner quick.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Lentil Pasta with Garlicky Greens
Red lentil pasta with garlicky lemon kale and a cheesy finish. It’s a fast, no-nonsense dinner that gets the job done without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Pasta with Garlicky Greens
Penne with Pesto
Brown rice penne loaded with lamb and mint pesto. It’s hearty, fresh, and great when you need something that hits hard and fast.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Pesto
Soba Noodle Pasta
Budget-friendly soba noodles with onions and a soft-boiled egg. Simple, slurpable, and perfect for when you need dinner quick without the extra drama.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodle Pasta
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
This bucatini pasta with garlic shrimp and cherry tomatoes is ready in under 30 minutes. Great for when you want a quick, no-fuss meal that still delivers.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Five ingredients, 20 minutes. Bucatini cacio e pepe keeps it simple, creamy, and all about the basics. Perfect for when dinner just needs to be easy and good.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Six ingredients, 25 minutes. Brussels sprouts, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes make this pasta the one you pull out when you need dinner done right and fast.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
This sun-dried tomato rigatoni with spinach is a meatless option that’s rich and ready in under 30 minutes. Great for a midweek dinner when time’s tight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Pesto Pasta alla Trapanese
Quick and fresh. This trapanese pesto made with tomatoes, nuts, and basil is your go-to summer sauce for pasta when you need dinner on the table without a fuss.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta alla Trapanese
Creamy Almond Butter Fall Pasta
Roasted butternut squash and broccoli rabe tossed in a creamy almond butter sauce. Add a buttery garlic cracker crumble, and you’ve got a dinner that’s simple but hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Almond Butter Fall Pasta
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
