20 Easy, Saucy, and Seriously Good Pasta Dinners
Mar 21, 2025
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Pasta nights just hit different—especially when they come with creamy sauces, sizzling shrimp, and just enough carbs to keep your soul smiling. From Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta to Chicken Marsala Gnocchi, this roundup brings serious weeknight energy without sacrificing flavor. There’s Easy Baked Ziti, Shrimp and Bacon Pasta, and even Chicken Bacon Ranch Orzo—because why choose just one comfort ingredient when you can have them all? Whether you’re going all in with Homemade Alfredo Sauce or lightening things up with Zucchini Pasta with Lentil Bolognese, there’s something saucy here for every kind of pasta mood.
Table of Contents
- Seafood Pasta
- Homemade Alfredo Sauce
- Chicken Marsala Gnocchi
- Chicken Bacon Gnocchi
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Sausage Pasta
- Almond Flour Pasta
- Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Zucchini Noodles
- Panera Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Orzo
- Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Thai Peanut Chicken and Noodles
- Brown Butter Lemon Pasta
- Singapore Noodles
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
- Shrimp and Bacon Pasta
- Zucchini Pasta with Lentil Bolognese (30 minutes!)
Seafood Pasta
This seafood pasta recipe is a quick and easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It features a flavorful marinara sauce and a variety of mixed seafood, making it both elegant and satisfying. Ready in minutes, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
This Homemade Alfredo Sauce is so easy to make, you’ll never buy the jarred stuff again! With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up this creamy and flavorful sauce in one pot. It’s perfect for pasta night or as a decadent dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Chicken Marsala Gnocchi
This creamy Chicken Marsala Gnocchi recipe is a quick and easy 30-minute meal made in one pan! Featuring juicy chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and mushrooms, all coated in a rich marsala wine sauce. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala Gnocchi
Chicken Bacon Gnocchi
This Chicken Bacon Gnocchi recipe is a simple, one-pan wonder that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen in just 30 minutes! Featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and pillowy gnocchi, all bathed in a delicious garlic sauce, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready to enjoy a comforting and quick meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Gnocchi
Easy Baked Ziti
This baked ziti recipe is the ultimate easy comfort food! Made with pasta, a rich tomato sauce, and lots of cheese, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any weeknight dinner. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a pop of freshness!
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Ziti
Sausage Pasta
This Sausage Pasta recipe is comfort food at its finest! It features Italian sausage in a creamy tomato sauce, combined with fresh baby spinach and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s sure to satisfy.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Pasta
Almond Flour Pasta
This almond flour pasta is a game-changer for gluten-free and paleo eaters! With only 3 ingredients, you can whip up a batch of grain-free pasta in under a minute. Enjoy a bowl of your favorite pasta without the guilt!
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Pasta
Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Zucchini Noodles
This Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Zucchini Noodles recipe is a healthy and delicious weeknight meal. It features garlicky shrimp, spiralized zucchini, and whole wheat linguine. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s sure to be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Zucchini Noodles
Panera Mac and Cheese
Craving the creamy goodness of Panera’s mac and cheese? This copycat recipe delivers that same tangy, rich flavor with its luscious white cheddar sauce. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect as a side or a satisfying lunch.
Get the Recipe: Panera Mac and Cheese
Chicken Bacon Ranch Orzo
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Orzo recipe is the perfect quick and easy one-pot meal! It’s cozy, comforting, and packed with flavor from bacon, rotisserie chicken, and ranch seasoning. Simply toss everything together with orzo pasta and spinach for a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Orzo
Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta
This Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta recipe is a quick and easy vegetarian dish that’s bursting with spring flavors. Made with simple ingredients like asparagus, mushrooms, and garlic, it’s a light yet satisfying meal ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
This Cajun shrimp pasta recipe by Sugar Spun Run is packed with flavor and spice without being overwhelmingly hot, making it a perfect weeknight dinner. It features a creamy, flavorful sauce made with fire-roasted tomatoes and a blend of Cajun spices, tossed with perfectly cooked shrimp and your favorite pasta. Simple to make and satisfying!
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Thai Peanut Chicken and Noodles
This Thai Peanut Chicken and Noodles recipe is a quick and easy dinner idea that can be made in 30 minutes! The dish features spaghetti noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce with chicken, carrots, and scallions. The recipe is easily customizable, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Chicken and Noodles
Brown Butter Lemon Pasta
This Brown Butter Lemon Pasta is a simple yet elegant dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. The combination of browned butter, bright lemon, and Parmesan cheese creates a flavorful sauce that coats your favorite pasta perfectly. It’s a delicious vegetarian option that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special Valentine’s Day dinner.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Lemon Pasta
Singapore Noodles
Craving a quick and flavorful meal? This Singapore Noodle recipe features stir-fried vermicelli rice noodles with vibrant vegetables and your choice of protein, like tofu, chicken, or shrimp. Infused with aromatic curry powder and a hint of chili, this dish is a delicious and adaptable weeknight dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Singapore Noodles
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is packed with tender shrimp, colorful veggies, and a zesty, creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. You can customize it with your favorite pasta shape and toppings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor. Tender chicken and pasta are enveloped in a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce, making it a hearty and satisfying meal the whole family will love. Ready in minutes, this dish is perfect for busy evenings!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
This Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal. The secret is in the fresh tomato sauce, which is made with juicy ripe tomatoes and basil in under 20 minutes! This recipe is also vegan-friendly, making it a great option for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Shrimp and Bacon Pasta
This Shrimp and Bacon Pasta is a flavorful dish that’s quick and easy to make. With a creamy tomato sauce, this pasta is sure to be a crowd pleaser and it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Bacon Pasta
Zucchini Pasta with Lentil Bolognese (30 minutes!)
This quick and easy Zucchini Pasta with Lentil Bolognese is a healthy and satisfying meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes! It’s packed with plant-based protein and flavor, making it a perfect weeknight dinner for vegans and vegetarians alike. Plus, it’s gluten-free and grain-free!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta with Lentil Bolognese (30 minutes!)