20 Pasta Recipes That Are Worth Your Time

When pasta’s on the menu, I know it’s going to be a good day. These recipes aren’t just quick fixes—they’re the kind you actually look forward to making and eating. From weeknight dinners to weekend treats, they’re worth every twirl of the fork.

A pan of creamy pasta with mushrooms and parsley, accompanied by a wooden spoon, on a white surface with a checkered cloth and parsley sprigs nearby.

Taco Spaghetti Skillet

A plate of spaghetti with ground meat, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped green onions. A black skillet containing more of the dish is partially visible in the background. — Taco Spaghetti Skillet. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This one-pan pasta dish blends bold taco flavors with comforting spaghetti, making it a great option when you want a quick, hearty dinner. It comes together in about 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy evenings. The combination of seasoned beef, pasta, and cheese makes it worth taking the time to prepare. It works well as a complete meal without needing a lot of sides.
Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti Skillet

Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and bacon in a white dish, with a serving on a plate beside it. — Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This creamy, cheesy pasta is rich and filling, making it a great choice for when you want something warm and hearty. It’s inspired by a restaurant favorite but easy enough to make at home in less than an hour. The blend of cheeses and tender pasta makes it stand out. It’s perfect for evenings when you want a comforting dish that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

Chicken breast cut with pasta in the background. — Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This pasta brings a bright, fresh flavor with tender chicken and a light lemon sauce, making it worth making on nights you want something different. It’s quick to prepare, usually in under 40 minutes. The combination of pasta, protein, and sauce makes it a complete and balanced meal. It’s a nice change from heavier pasta dishes while still being comforting.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta. — Meatball Pasta Bake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

With hearty meatballs, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, this bake is perfect for feeding a family or making ahead for leftovers. It bakes in the oven for less than an hour, giving you a warm and filling dinner. The layered flavors and textures make it worth the effort. This dish is easy to prepare but still feels like something special.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

This quick skillet meal is perfect for nights when you want a filling dinner without a lot of cleanup. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it a dependable option for busy schedules. The combination of beef, pasta, and sauce makes it a balanced, hearty choice. It’s simple but worth making for its ease and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Penne Pasta Bake

This pasta bake is loaded with sauce, cheese, and pasta, making it a warm and filling option for dinner. It’s easy to assemble ahead and bake when needed. The baking process blends the flavors perfectly, making the time investment worth it. It works well for family meals or casual gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pasta Bake

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

This pasta combines the kick of buffalo chicken with a creamy, cheesy base, making it stand out as a bold dinner choice. It’s oven-baked for a comforting finish and can be ready in under an hour. The combination of spice, pasta, and cheese makes it worth preparing. It’s a great pick for when you want something with a little heat.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Lemon pasta with spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. — Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This pasta offers fresh, light flavors with the tang of lemon and the saltiness of feta. It comes together quickly, usually in under 25 minutes, making it easy to fit into busy days. The mix of spinach and pasta makes it worth preparing when you want a lighter yet filling meal. It’s great for both lunch and dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Bucatini pasta with shrimp in a white bowl. — Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This dish pairs tender pasta with shrimp and a light garlic sauce, making it a great choice for a quick yet impressive meal. It’s usually ready in less than 30 minutes. The balance of seafood and pasta makes the extra steps worth it. It’s ideal for nights when you want something fresh but still comforting.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

A bowl of pasta with shrimp and tomatoes. — Shrimp and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

With juicy shrimp and a tomato-based sauce, this pasta offers a fresh, hearty option for dinner. It’s ready in around 30 minutes, making it easy for weeknights. The combination of seafood and pasta is worth making when you want a change from heavier meat dishes. It works well for both casual and more special meals.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

Baked Feta Pasta

This pasta is known for its creamy, tangy sauce created from baked feta and tomatoes. It’s a simple dish with minimal prep time, usually ready in under an hour. The unique flavor makes it worth trying when you want something different. It’s perfect for an easy dinner that still feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Salmon Alfredo Pasta

A plate of creamy pasta with chunks of salmon, garnished with fresh herbs and served with lemon slices on the side. — Salmon Alfredo Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This pasta combines tender salmon with a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce for a filling, flavorful meal. It’s ready in less than 40 minutes, making it manageable on busy nights. The seafood adds a nice twist that makes it worth preparing. It’s perfect for when you want a comforting dinner with a bit of variety.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Alfredo Pasta

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

This classic pasta uses simple ingredients to create a rich, peppery sauce. It’s quick to make, usually in under 20 minutes, which makes it an easy yet special choice. The bold flavors make it worth preparing despite its simplicity. It’s a great option for when you want something fast and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Alfredo Steak Pasta

This dish combines tender steak with creamy Alfredo sauce and pasta for a hearty, rich meal. It’s ready in about 40 minutes, making it manageable for weeknights. The combination of flavors makes it worth the effort. It works well as a complete dinner without needing extra sides.
Get the Recipe: Alfredo Steak Pasta

Spaghetti Arrabbiata

This pasta has a bold tomato sauce with a kick of heat, making it a nice change from more traditional pasta dishes. It’s quick to prepare, usually in about 25 minutes. The spice and simplicity make it worth adding to your meal rotation. It’s perfect for nights when you want something with a little edge.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Arrabbiata

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork. — Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This creamy pasta dish is made easy with a slow cooker, letting you set it and come back to a ready meal. It’s a comforting choice that works for both family dinners and leftovers. The hands-off cooking makes it worth preparing on busy days. It’s filling, flavorful, and easy to enjoy any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

This pasta is quick, light, and full of garlic flavor with a touch of heat. It’s ready in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. The simplicity of ingredients makes it worth the short time it takes. It’s great for when you want something easy but still flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A bowl of shrimp pasta with lemon and parsley. — Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This pasta combines shrimp with a rich garlic butter sauce for a quick, filling meal. It’s ready in about 25 minutes, making it a go-to for busy days. The combination of seafood and pasta is worth preparing for its fresh flavor. It works well for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Brown Butter Scallop Pasta

A serving of pasta topped with a seared scallops and a sage brown butter sauce. — Brown Butter Scallop Pasta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This dish pairs tender scallops with a nutty brown butter sauce over pasta, making it a standout option for dinner. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight treat. The combination of flavors makes it worth the effort. It’s great when you want something a little more special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Scallop Pasta

Lobster Ravioli Sauce

Closeup of a red and yellow lobster ravioli on a fork. — Lobster Ravioli Sauce. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This creamy sauce is made to pair with lobster ravioli, adding richness and depth to the dish. It’s quick to make, usually in less than 20 minutes. The combination of seafood and pasta makes it worth preparing for a special meal. It’s perfect for a dinner that feels a little more upscale while still being manageable at home.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Ravioli Sauce