9 Ridiculously Easy Weeknight Pasta Recipes

Courtesy of I Will Not Eat Oysters
Courtesy of I Will Not Eat Oysters

Pasta is one of those foods that you almost always have on hand, and also don’t use nearly as often as you should. And no matter if it's simply served with butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or tossed into a 10-ingredient puttanesca, versatile pasta is almost always preferable to the same old takeout. Here are nine easy pasta recipes that will be on the table from start to finish in 30 minutes or less.

Courtesy of Joy The Baker

Roasted tomato and garlic pasta

Roast tomatoes, drizzle olive oil, pick basil, grate cheese. Toss with pasta. Done. Get the recipe here!

Key ingredients:

  • Tomatoes
  • Basil
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Olive oil 
Courtesy of Life As a Strawberry

30-minute creamy corn and tomato pasta

The whole thing is done in a half-hour, plus the sauce uses cream cheese for added flavor and a creamy consistency. Recipe here

Key ingredients:

  • Cream cheese
  • Sweet corn
  • Tomatoes
  • Cilantro
Courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats  

Creamy garlic shells

Just 15 minutes is all you need to get this fragrant dish on the table. No preservatives or pasta packets required. Proof is right here

Key ingredients:

  • Flour
  • Chicken broth
  • Milk
  • Garlic 
  • Parmesan cheese
Perry Santanachote/Thrillist

Quick pasta carbonara

You can’t go wrong with this super-simple and classic combo of bacon, cheese, eggs, and garlic. It’s a quicker version with a ton of flavor. Get cooking with the recipe!

Key ingredients:

  • Garlic
  • Bacon
  • Egg
  • Parmesan cheese
Courtesy of I Will Not Eat Oysters

Mom's cacio e pepe

An Italian classic with an Israeli twist -- this simple pasta uses provolone cheese, feta, and an egg for added richness. Recipe here

Key ingredients:

  • Bulgarian feta
  • Provolone 
  • Pepper
  • Egg
Courtesy of Dessert For Two

Easy fettuccine alfredo

It doesn't keep well so you have to eat this one right away, but why would you wait to eat pasta in the first place? Also bonus points for cutting corners where you can by using the microwave to heat the cream and butter. Check out the recipe here.

Key ingredients:

  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Frozen peas
Courtesy of Tastes Lovely

15-minute creamy pesto pasta

From start to finish, this creamy pesto pasta is done in 15 minutes. If you use a thinner pasta (i.e., angel hair) it could be even less, including boiling water time. So waste no time and get the recipe here

Key ingredients:

  • Garlic
  • Pre-made pesto
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Milk
Courtesy of Le Crème de la Crumb

Spicy tomato garlic shrimp pasta

If you like simple dinners that look like you slaved in the kitchen for hours, this spicy tomato and garlic shrimp pasta is for you. A lot of the flavor comes from seasoning with pantry staples like garlic and onion powder. Recipe right here

Key ingredients:

  • Shrimp
  • Tomatoes (canned, crushed)
  • Garlic
  • Heavy cream
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
Courtesy of Life As a Strawberry

Creamy mushroom pasta

This is a direct quote from the blogger and it sums up the recipe really well: "Pasta. Olive Oil. Garlic. Onion. THE SHROOMS. Lil’ bit of flour. Milk, cheese, BOOM. DONEZO." Works for us. Get the recipe here.

Key ingredients:

  • Garlic
  • Cheese
  • Mushrooms
  • Flour
  • Milk


Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.

Dara Pollak is a freelance writer and recipe creator. She likes her pasta with a side of bacon. Follow her at @theskinnypignyc.