20 Easy, Saucy, and Seriously Good Pasta Dinners

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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.

Seafood Pasta

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seafood pasta.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

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

close up overhead view of a serving of fettuccini alfredo on a white plate with a fork.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

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

a bowl of chicken marsala gnocchi
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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

a skillet with chicken gnocchi with bacon and a serving spoon
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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

Baked ziti recipe
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

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

Up-close overhead image of Sausage Pasta ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

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

almond pasta
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

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

Linguine and Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

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

stirring creamy mac and cheese in a pot with a wooden spoon.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

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

closeup of a dutch oven with chicken bacon ranch orzo and a serving spoon
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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

a bowl of mushroom and asparagus pasta
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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

A blue skillet containing grilled shrimp and pasta in a creamy sauce, garnished with herbs. Served with
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

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

Thai peanut chicken noodles on a gray plate.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

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

Brown Butter Lemon Pasta Recipe
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

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

vegetarian singapore noodle recipe in a wok
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

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

Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

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

Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta finished cooking
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

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

A forkful of Spaghetti.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

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

creamy shrimp and bacon pasta in a white bowl
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

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!)

Dinner plates filled with a healthy meal of Spiralized Zucchini Pasta with Vegan Lentil Red Sauce
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

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!)

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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