To help you find your next favorite easy weeknight dinner, we’ve rounded up 7 delicious pasta recipes that cook in under 30 minutes, from healthy to hearty to downright decadent.
This post may contain affiliate links. As Amazon Associates and through other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a link – at no extra cost to you. We only promote products we actually use and truly love!
We get it. Between work, errands, chores, and the countless other things on your to-do list, cooking dinner can feel like a big undertaking, especially after a long day. But here’s a secret: you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare a delicious homemade dinner. And you don’t even need that many ingredients. All it takes is a few pantry staples and one of these 7 delicious pasta recipes you can make in under 30 minutes.
Pasta is one of the best easy weeknight meals because you can create something incredibly flavorful and satisfying in a short amount of time with very few pots, pans, and ingredients. There’s also so much variety when it comes to pasta recipes. Want something hearty and comforting? There’s a pasta recipe for that. Want something light and fresh? There’s a pasta recipe for that, too. No matter what you’re craving, pasta always delivers.
We’ve rounded up 7 of our favorite easy pasta recipes that run the gamut from healthy to hearty – and all take less than 30 minutes to make – to help inspire your next weeknight dinner. The list below is sorted by time, from quickest to longest, so you can easily find the perfect pasta recipe to fit your busy schedule.
1. Goat Cheese & Tomato Gnocchi (10 minutes)
Yes, this creamy tomato and goat cheese gnocchi recipe really only takes 10 minutes. How, you ask? By using jarred sun dried tomatoes in olive oil to make a flavorful sauce in the blender. Then you just heat it and stir in the goat cheese while the gnocchi cooks. The result is a super decadent, creamy, slightly tangy bowl of pillowy gnocchi you won’t be able to stop eating.
2. Burrata Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes (18 minutes)
If you enjoy a good gourmet-style dish made with fresh burrata cheese and balsamic vinegar, this one’s for you. Blistered tomatoes cooked in white wine and basil add bright contrast to pasta shells and creamy burrata for complex, decadent flavor – all in less than 20 minutes. How’s that for impressive? Treat yourself on any given Tuesday, or try this pasta for your next date night and surprise your SO with your culinary mastery.
3. Spinach Tomato & Olive Oil Pasta (20 minutes)
It’s all in the name for this one. Aside from the pasta itself and a few spice rack staples, these 3 ingredients make one heck of a light and fresh pasta dinner. Cook down the spinach, add the tomatoes and let the juices release, then mix it all together for a surprisingly flavorful vegetarian pasta dinner that goes great with a glass of wine.
4. No Egg Spaghetti Carbonara (20 minutes)
Love carbonara, but intimidated by the idea of cooking pasta with egg? Us too. That’s why we created this unique spin on everyone’s favorite pasta dish that’s more like alfredo with bacon – which is even more decadent and delicious than the original, if you ask us. If you’ve got cooked bacon or bacon bits on hand, you can whip up this dish in no time.
5. Vegetarian Tuscan Pasta (20 minutes)
This super simple vegetarian pasta is perfect for when you’re feeling lazy. All you really need is tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and Penzey’s Tuscan Sunset seasoning blend. The light olive oil “sauce” and fresh tomatoes make this pasta dish low-calorie, so it’s way better for you – and faster – than getting takeout when you’re running low on groceries.
6. Caprese Pesto Pasta (22 minutes)
For another fresh and healthy pasta option, try this caprese salad-inspired recipe that’s as easy as 1-2-3. Step one: boil the pasta. Step two: make a caprese salad. Step three: combine the pasta and caprese salad with pesto, and voila. A bright and flavorful vegetarian pasta that tastes like summer in a bowl.
7. Italian Sausage & Peppers Pasta (25 minutes)
This hearty pasta takes closer to 30 minutes to prepare, but still less than, and it’s totally worth the extra time. Hot Italian sausage, peppers, onions, canned tomatoes, and a few seasonings come together to make the most delicious creamy sauce for fettuccine or linguine. It’s the perfect cozy and comforting dinner at the end of a long day. Plus, the ground sausage makes this a high protein pasta recipe if you’re looking for something a little more filling.
If you have any questions regarding the information presented in this post, please refer to our Nutrition Disclaimer here.
Looking for kitchen inspiration? Head over to our shop to see what we cook with every day, plus recommendations for foodie gifts and eco-friendly products.