ByDona Danday on Updated on

Hot and Cold, Casseroles to Salads, 27 Pasta Recipes For Dinner

From hot and cold casseroles to salads, these pasta recipes for dinner are great no matter what you’re craving. They’re easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for busy nights when you just want something that hits the spot without much effort. We love cheesy pasta dishes, salads with tender noodles and lots of veggies, plus all the meaty goodness you can add.

Hamburger Mac N Cheese

A pot of cooked macaroni with ground meat and sauce, with two servings plated on white dishes next to it.
Hamburger Mac N Cheese. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

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Ground beef cooks with onions for a hearty base. Stir in macaroni and a creamy cheese sauce. It feeds a hungry crew with zero leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Mac N Cheese

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Bacon ranch pasta salad in a clear bowl with a striped towel.
Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Creamy ranch coats the pasta with cool, tangy flavor. Crispy bacon and tender veggies add crunch and color. Chill it and bring it to potlucks or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Meatball Pasta Bake

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

Toss cooked pasta, jarred sauce, and meatballs in a baking dish. Add mozzarella and bake until bubbly. Scoop big portions for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Meatball 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.

Bright lemon and salty feta make every bite pop. Wilted spinach adds color and quick greens. Add grilled chicken or shrimp if you want more protein.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Creamy Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce and Bacon

Large skillet full of creamy pumpkin gnocchi topped with bacon and sage leaves.
Creamy Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce and Bacon. Photo credit: All in the Family Recipes.

Pumpkin purée turns into a silky sauce that hugs the gnocchi. Crispy bacon and a pinch of sage bring warm fall flavor. It’s cozy, rich, and weeknight friendly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce and Bacon

Black Garlic Pasta

Plate with black garlic pasta with mushrooms next to bowl of black garlic.
Black Garlic Pasta. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Black garlic brings a sweet, mellow depth that tastes slow cooked. Sautéed mushrooms and shallots round out the sauce. It feels special without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Black Garlic Pasta

Creamy Lemon Mascarpone Pasta

Close up of lemon mascarpone pasta with spinach.
Creamy Lemon Mascarpone Pasta. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Mascarpone melts into a smooth, lemony sauce. Arugula and thin red onion add a peppery bite. Toss and serve while it’s warm and creamy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Mascarpone Pasta

Creamy Cheesy Pea Pasta

Image shows Creamy Pea Pasta in an enameled cast iron pot.
Creamy Cheesy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tiny peas add sweetness and pop in every forkful. The sauce is smooth, creamy, and comes together fast. It’s a meatless dinner that satisfies.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cheesy Pea Pasta

Tortellini alla Panna

A bowl of creamy tortellini.
Tortellini alla Panna. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cheese tortellini simmer in a simple cream and parmesan sauce. It turns glossy and coats every pocket. Serve with black pepper and a shower of parm.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini alla Panna

Italian Drunken Noodles

A bowl of italian drunken noodles.
Italian Drunken Noodles. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Spicy sausage, herbs, and a splash of red wine build bold flavor. Wide noodles soak up the sauce. It’s ready fast and perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Italian Drunken Noodles

Pasta al Forno

A white casserole with a baked pasta recipe.
Pasta al Forno. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Tube pasta bakes with marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella. The top turns golden and the center stays saucy. It serves a crowd with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Pasta al Forno

Pasta alla Norma

A cast iron skillet with a pasta dish with eggplant.
Pasta alla Norma. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Roasted eggplant meets a garlicky tomato sauce. Rigatoni catches the chunky bits. Finish with ricotta salata for a salty kick.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Shrimp Tomato Basil Pasta

A plate of pasta with shrimp, asparagus, tomatoes, and a garnish of fresh herbs. A skillet with more pasta and additional tomatoes and asparagus can be seen in the background.
Shrimp Tomato Basil Pasta. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Juicy shrimp cook quickly in a skillet with garlic. Cherry tomatoes burst into a light sauce. Fresh basil brings the finish you want on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tomato Basil Pasta

Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

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

Thin chicken cutlets simmer in a lemon caper pan sauce. Toss with pasta so it drinks up every drop. It’s bright, savory, and very satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

Penne al Salmon

Big bowl of penne al salmone with serving spoon
Penne al Salmon. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Smoky salmon flakes into a silky cream sauce. Penne holds the sauce in every ridge. It feels dinner-party nice but takes weeknight time.
Get the Recipe: Penne al Salmon

Easy Crockpot Skyline Chili Recipe

A plate of spaghetti topped with chili, kidney beans, chopped onions, and shredded cheese. A fork is lifting some noodles. In the background, bowls of shredded cheese, chopped onions, and beans are visible.
Easy Crockpot Skyline Chili Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Warm spices and a hint of sweetness make a classic Cincinnati bite. The slow cooker handles all the simmering. Serve over spaghetti with cheese and onions.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Skyline Chili Recipe

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cubes of cheese melt low and slow for extra creaminess. The pasta turns tender without boiling first. Scoop it as a side or make it the main.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne with meat sauce and parmesan cheese.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Ground beef and tomato sauce simmer until rich. Penne cooks right in the pot near the end. Stir in cheese and serve big bowls.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles.
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef cooks until it pulls apart with a fork. Broth turns into a savory gravy that coats the noodles. It’s pure comfort on cool nights.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Taco Pasta Casserole

A bowl of pasta topped with herbs and tortilla chips on a purple table with cherry tomatoes and confetti. A sign in the background reads "Life is a magic of pasta.
Taco Pasta Casserole. Photo credit: Fitty Foodlicious.

Pasta meets seasoned beef, beans, and salsa in one pan. Melted cheese ties it together. Add chips, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime on top.
Get the Recipe: Taco Pasta Casserole

Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles

Close-up of a spoon lifting beef and egg noodles from a slow cooker, with steam rising.
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Beef, mushrooms, and onions get tender in broth. Egg noodles soak up the juices at the end. Ladle into bowls for a hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles

Easy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

A fork holds spaghetti with a creamy sauce and tomato bits, above a plate. Nearby, a parsley garnish and salt and pepper shakers are visible in the background.
Easy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Chicken cooks until shred-ready with tomatoes and cream. Stir in spaghetti and cheese for a silky sauce. It’s a set-and-go family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Teryiaki Salmon Noodles

A pan of stir-fried noodles with pieces of salmon, sliced vegetables, and garnished with chopped scallions. A fork is lifting some noodles from the pan.
Teryiaki Salmon Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Flaky salmon tosses with glossy teriyaki sauce. Noodles stay springy and grab every bit. Add green onions and sesame for a quick finish.
Get the Recipe: Teryiaki Salmon Noodles

Crockpot Lasagna

Close-up of a slice of lasagna being lifted from a pan, showing layers of pasta, meat sauce, melted cheese, and herbs.
Crockpot Lasagna. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Layer noodles, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella in the slow cooker. It bubbles into neat slices without heating the oven. Lift the lid to a ready-to-serve pan.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Lasagna

Meat Sauce Stuffed Shells

A close-up of a cheesy stuffed pasta shell topped with tomato sauce and parsley being lifted from a pan of baked pasta.
Meat Sauce Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Fitty Foodlicious.

Jumbo shells hold a ricotta and beef filling. They bake in marinara until the edges crisp. It’s make-ahead friendly and great for guests.
Get the Recipe: Meat Sauce Stuffed Shells

Quick and Easy Simple Basil Pesto

Bright green basil pesto inside a wooden bowl.
Quick and Easy Simple Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Fresh basil, garlic, parmesan, and oil blitz into a smooth sauce. The flavor is bold and bright in minutes. Spoon it on pasta, sandwiches, and salads.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Simple Basil Pesto

Cozy Veggie Tortellini Soup

A bowl of tortellini soup with vegetables and white beans, topped with parmesan cheese.
Cozy Veggie Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Cheese tortellini simmer in a tomato broth with beans and veggies. It’s hearty without feeling heavy. Cook it on the stove or in the Instant Pot.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Veggie Tortellini Soup

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