It’s Pasta Night! 15 Easy Pasta Recipes

By Jenn Segal

Pasta—you can never go wrong! From classic spaghetti and meatballs to cheesy baked ziti, these are some of my family’s favorite pasta recipes. Whether you prefer a simple marinara or a hearty baked pasta with layers of sauce and cheese, these go-to dishes are sure to make pasta night a hit in your house too!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

This spaghetti and meatball recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight — and it’s a family favorite, too!
Baked Ziti

Loaded with Italian sausage, this baked ziti is similar to meat lasagna but without the fuss. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but also special enough for a weekend family dinner, and it also makes a great prep-ahead potluck dish.
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

This pasta dish is adapted from Lidia’s Italian Table by Lidia Bastianich. Not only is it quick and easy to make — 25 minutes tops — the whole family gobbles it up, broccoli and all.
Spaghetti with Kale & Walnut Pesto

From my cookbook, this winter-friendly twist on pesto pasta is one of my go-to weeknight dinner recipes. I can get it on the table in 25 minutes max, and it’s a great way to sneak in some healthy greens.
Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Mozzarella Pearls

Quick, simple, and family-approved — this pasta with sun-dried tomato pesto and fresh mozzarella pearls is almost as easy as opening a jar of tomato sauce and pouring it over noodles, yet so much more special.
Julia Turshen’s “A Nice Lasagna”

This lasagna comes from Julia Turshen’s lovely cookbook, Small Victories: Recipes, Advice + Hundreds of Ideas for Home Cooking Triumphs (Chronicle Books, 2016). Not only is it the simplest lasagna you’ll ever make, it’s also the lightest and most elegant.
Italian Wedding Soup

The name “wedding soup” comes from the Italian language phrase minestra maritata – or married soup — which is a reference to the way the flavors combine, like a happy marriage. To save time, I use a combination of store bought chicken and beef broths fortified with wine and lots of vegetables.
Mac and Cheese

Here’s a quick and easy riff on spinach and ricotta cannelloni. Instead of stuffing pasta shells with the classic spinach and ricotta filling, you toss penne pasta in a creamy spinach, basil and ricotta sauce, top it with cheese, and then bake it until golden brown.
Pasta Primavera

I find most homemade mac and cheese recipes to be a bit dry, so I developed this version to be ultra-creamy. The crispy panko-Herbes de Provence topping absolutely makes the dish!
Linguine with Clams

With roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and corn, this pasta primavera is an ode to summer.
Fusilli alla Caprese

Linguine with clams in a garlicky white wine sauce makes an easy and elegant Italian pasta dinner.
Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

Simple yet spectacular, this fusilli alla Caprese requires just a handful of ingredients, comes together quickly, and is delicious hot or cold.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Short on time but big on hunger? Spaghetti aglio e olio is the perfect Italian pasta dish—full of flavor and ready in minutes!
Penne alla Vodka

Penne alla vodka is a quick and easy Italian dish featuring a rich, creamy tomato sauce that comes together in the time it takes to boil the pasta. It’s a satisfying weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe is a deceptively simple dish packed with flavor. Featuring pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper, this version uses a foolproof technique to ensure a creamy, clump-free sauce every time!