Search marilyn

31 of the best pasta recipes for weeknight dinners

Noodles and sauce deserve an upgrade.
October 25, 2021 9:59 a.m. EST

Are you craving pasta for dinner tonight but wondering what to make? Well, you have come to the right place. We are sharing this compilation of our 31 best pasta recipes so that you don't have to look any further for a comforting plate of pasta. Find everything from meaty pastas, to vegetarian pastas and no-bake pastas. 

Pasta limone

This classic lemon sauce recipe has a lot of fat and a lot of acidity, so don’t be shy with adding salt and taste as you go.

Coin-shaped pasta

A traditional Italian pasta dish that is so simple yet so delicious. 

Agilo e Olio pasta

Aglio e olio is a popular order at Italian restaurants, but now you can make it at home! 

Savoury vegetarian pasta bake 

Say hello to the ultimate vegetarian-friendly main that will please everyone at the table. It doesn't get easier than a one-pot pasta bake!

Puttanesca pasta 'la bomba'

If you like eating and making pasta, it’s hard not to love puttanesca. In a few short minutes, you can transform a can of tomatoes and a handful of pantry staples into a satisfying sauce.

Crispy fried pasta with spicy chorizo 

Tomato sauced or not, this is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to serve pre-cooked pasta. All you need is a hot pan and some additional inspiration from your fridge, and you have an afternoon snack, side, or meal on your table in minutes.

Tomato pasta

Simple, hearty and sweet. 

Orzo pasta with feta and spinach

This easy, meatless meal features orzo, spinach, peas and scallions. It is deeply satisfying but still on the lighter side of pasta recipes, thanks to all those vegetables.

Quick and easy pasta salad

Serve warm or cold, this dish is perfect for when you're in a hurry!

Oxtail pasticada stuffed pasta

We'll bet your pasta dishes have never included this many delicious flavours! Complete with bacon and oxtail, this pasticada filling will be the star of the dinner.

Piselli brunch pasta with pancetta 

Salty and creamy, this dish is for the ultimate pasta-lover. 

Chuck's pasta and clams 

A delicious pasta and clam dish whose flavours spell out 'I love you.'

Grilled prawn pasta with garlic chili oil 

This fancied-up pasta is perfect for a quick mid-week meal. 

Roasted cauliflower pasta with pecorino 

This pasta has tons of healthy roasted veggies for the ultimate savoury experience.

Butternut squash kale and sauasage pasta

Healthy, nutrient-packed pasta that's easily converted to accommodate a vegetarian diet. Just omit the sausage!

Cheesy red cabbage beet and sausage pasta 

Red cabbage might be the star ingredient with this unique pasta bake dish featuring sausage and cheese. 

Spring pasta with yogurt and lamb

Bring a little green into your life with this delicious spring pasta served with yogurt and tender lamb. 

Capellini pasta with PEI mussels sea urchin and lemon zest 

Bring PEI to the dinner table with this classic seafood-inspired dish. 

Pasta bake 

A cheese pasta dish that is undeniably heavenly, whip this up when the leaves start to change colour for the ultimate fall experience. 

Everything bagel pasta with smoked salmon 

Forget buying store-bought salads throughout the summer. Chef Andrea Buckett knows just how to elevate your famous summer salad with a twist.

Green garlic pasta with whipped ricotta and lemon

This garlic-infused pasta topped with creamy whipped ricotta and tangy lemon will bring some freshness to your next dinner. 

Pancetta and mushrooms angel hair pasta

The pancetta in this recipe flavours the olive oil with all of its spices and it combines so well with the mushrooms to bring a meaty bite to the dish.

Vegan rasta pasta with roasted bell pepper

Dinner doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this creamy roasted red pepper vegan pasta dish!

Pea pesto and shrimp pasta salad

Make your own healthy version of pesto at home using peas. Top the dish off with juicy, tender shrimp and you have this incredible pasta salad dish. 

Chestnut pasta with pork and cabbage fettuccine 

A mix of pork, cabbage and chestnut chunks creates a rich and nutty pasta sauce, lifting this from an everyday dish to something special

Cucumber pasta

Cooking cucumbers takes them out of the salad realm, transforming them into a pasta dish that's perfect on it's own or served with fish or white meat.

Portobello pancetta and spinach pasta

A gorgeously healthy spinach pasta that still works as an amazing comfort food. 

Pasta with bolognese sauce

This is an easy-to-make tomato-based meat sauce—perfect on any pasta!

Vegetarian no-boil pasta bake 

This vegetarian pasta bake recipe is one of the most versatile — and perhaps the easiest — dish ever. With barely any prep and almost no clean-up, it's perfect for busy families and university students who are short on time. It's an easy and healthy recipe that doesn't require any boiling of the pasta.

Lemon roasted chicken pasta

Use your leftover roast chicken to make this luscious lemony pasta. It really shows off the versatility of lemon and how much flavour you can extract from a simple roasted chicken.

Porcini pesto pasta

This pasta dish is bursting with flavour, it's fresh and delicious! With freshly made basil pesto, buttery porcini mushrooms, and topped with crunchy walnuts, this is perfect for garlic and pasta lovers. 

Latest Episodes From The Marilyn Denis Show