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Recipe Roundup

67 Game-Changing Weeknight Pasta Recipes

Restaurant-quality pasta in less than 30 minutes is entirely possible, and we've got the recipes to prove it.

By The Epicurious Editors

September 9, 2018

Pasta with 10minute pesto in a blue bowl.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
1/67
One-Pot Spring Pasta With Smoked Salmon
Sour cream and lemon zest combine for a sprightly sauce that complements smoked salmon in this 30-minute one-pot meal.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
2/67
Pasta With 15-Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
Juicy and sweet cherry tomatoes burst open in warm olive oil, creating a luxuriously silky sauce that comes together in minutes.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
3/67
Homemade Instant Mac and Cheese
Cheesier macaroni and cheese in minutes—no box required.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
4/67
Pasta With 10-Minute Pesto
Blanching fresh basil leaves before blending is the key to this vibrant, ultra-herby pesto. Perfect for pasta, it also dresses up pizza, scrambled eggs, and more.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
5/67
Lemony Pasta With Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Arugula
A vegetarian pasta dinner that's full of so much fresh arugula, it almost feels like eating a salad. In a good way.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
6/67
3-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe (Pasta With Cheese and Pepper)
This classic pasta has only a few ingredients, but they transform into a surprisingly velvety, flavorful dish.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
7/67
Pasta With 15-Minute Meat Sauce
This rich 15-minute ragù turns pasta or polenta into a quick hearty dinner any night of the week.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
8/67
Sheet-Pan Pasta Bake With Chicken and Kale
So much more crispy topping per bite than your standard pasta casserole.
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Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
9/67
Pantry Pasta with Garlic, Anchovies, and Parmesan
Combine a few pantry staples to make this simple but luxurious anytime pasta.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
10/67
Pasta Carbonara With Cabbage and Mushrooms
In this dish, you’ll sauté mushrooms and bacon until they become crispy. You’ll use bacon fat to sear the cabbage before tossing in an egg, Parmesan, and pasta.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
11/67
One-Pot Pasta Primavera With Shrimp
This lightning-fast version of the classic spring pasta calls for just the right amount of water that magically cooks down to create a silky sauce, no draining necessary.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
12/67
"Antipasto" Pasta with Sausage, Artichoke Hearts, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Inspired by Italian antipasto platters, this pasta is comprised of things that are probably already in your pantry.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
13/67
Greek-Style Shrimp Pasta With Kale
This pasta is so packed with vegetables and shrimp that it's a complete, satiating meal—despite using half the normal serving size of noodles.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
14/67
Cauliflower Carbonara
Cut into small pieces, roasted cauliflower mingles with pasta, bacon, and Parmesan in this hearty, comforting twist on classic carbonara.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
15/67
Simple One-Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta
The chicken, sauce, and pasta for this dish all cook in the same pan. You can add broccoli, mushrooms, herbs, or a little chipotle at the same time that you stir in the Parmesan.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
16/67
Rice Noodles al Pomodoro with Chili Oil
Bursting with jammy cherry tomatoes that make their own sauce, this rice noodle–and–chili oil riff on the classic Italian pasta takes just 20 minutes to throw together.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Molly Baz
17/67
3-Ingredient Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
The key to balancing the richness of the cream and the sweetness of the pumpkin in this simple sauce is salty, starchy pasta water. Remember, it should taste "salty like the sea."
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley
18/67
My Mother's Butter, Tomato, and Onion Sauce
It is ridiculously simple: Put four ingredients into a pot and place it on the stove, no chopping or slicing required. But it's not because of how easy it is that it's a favorite; it's because the flavor is addictively delicious.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
19/67
Pasta Salad With Corn and Tomatoes
Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or those nights when you simply don’t want to turn on the oven.
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Photo by Jennifer Davick
20/67
Mexican Pasta Surprise
This spicy vegetarian pasta is packed with heat from chipotle chile powder and fresh jalapeños. Pinto beans and canned tomatoes round out the dish and make it extremely easy to put together.
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Photo by Alex Lau
21/67
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio With Lots of Kale
You will think this pasta recipe calls for an absurd amount of kale, but it will shrink a ton when cooked.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege
22/67
Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad
If you grill the vegetables a day or two ahead, this satisfying pasta dinner comes together in a snap.
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Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Judy Mancini
23/67
Summer Squash and Basil Pasta
When cooked long enough, the squash gets jammy and saucy, ideal for coating big pieces of pasta, like paccheri or ziti.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
24/67
Fresh Corn Carbonara
A raw creamed corn sauce takes the place of the traditional eggs in this silky, summer-fresh "carbonara."
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Molly Baz
25/67
3-Ingredient Orecchiette With Sausage and Fennel
Be sure to add the sausage just before the last toss to maintain all those delicious crispy bits.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
26/67
Fridge-Dive Pesto Pasta
Turn any extra hardy greens or herbs you can find in your fridge into dinner tonight with this pesto pasta.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Mindy Fox
27/67
Pasta With 15-Minute Ham, Pea, and Cream Sauce
Cozy up to this easy, creamy, 15-minute pasta, brightened up with fragrant lemon zest and refreshing parsley.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
28/67
Pantry Pasta Puttanesca
Keep these ingredients stocked in your pantry, and a briny, flavor-packed, classic Italian pasta will always be a dinner option.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Mindy Fox
29/67
Pasta With 15-Minute Garlic, Oil, and Anchovy Sauce
Our version of classic Italian agile e olio (garlic and oil) pasta is given extra flavor and crunch with toasted breadcrumbs.
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Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
30/67
Fettuccine With Shredded Zucchini, Fresh Ricotta, and Lemon Zest
This simple pasta delivers big on bright summer flavor, and gives you a good excuse to work through some of that zucchini surplus.
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Photo by Ted Cavanaugh
31/67
Bucatini With Lemony Carbonara
Lemon makes the perfect foil for carbonara’s salty richness. You may never go back.
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Photo by Alex Lau
32/67
Cheesy Baked Pasta With Cauliflower
Chopped cauliflower adds earthy sweetness and turns as tender as the pasta in this more substantial version of mac ‘n’ cheese.
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Photo by Alex Lau
33/67
Ramen Noodles With Miso Pesto
Springy ramen noodles and a cilantro-miso sauce bring a welcome twist to a classic pesto recipe.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
34/67
Anchovy Pasta With Garlic Breadcrumbs
Cook breadcrumbs—mixed with bright lemon zest and garlic—until toasted and crunchy and then try not to inhale them before garnishing this spicy anchovy pasta.
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Photo by Chelsie Craig, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen, Food Styling by Molly Baz
35/67
Orecchiette With Buttermilk, Peas, and Pistachios
Buttermilk’s tangy brightness cuts through the richness of this glossy sauce. Sugar snap peas, a bunch of mint, and lemon juice keep things fresh.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
36/67
Rock Shrimp Pasta With Spicy Tomato Sauce
Add ready-peeled shrimp to tomato sauce spiked with fennel and chiles for a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner.
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Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
37/67
Romesco Pasta Salad With Basil and Parmesan
The secret to this pasta salad? Dress it twice. The pasta absorbs the first round of sauce completely, while the second dose keeps it glossy and bold. Walnuts and breadcrumbs add the perfect crunch.
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Photo by Audrey Johns
38/67
Creamy Mac and Cheese
A healthier, nuttier weeknight mac and cheese.
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Photo by Maura McEvoy
39/67
Baked Penne with Green Chiles
Picture your favorite Tex-Mex cheese dip and the ultimate mac 'n' cheese. Now picture them together.
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Photo by Elizabeth Cecil
40/67
Strozzapreti Carbonara With Radishes
You can finish this carbonara with other seasonal vegetables, such as shredded brussels sprouts or Napa cabbage.
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Photo by Alex Lau
41/67
Pantry Pasta
You probably already have everything you need to make this pasta in your pantry.
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Photo by Colin Price
42/67
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
This is a creamy, cheesy, classic mac 'n' cheese you can make using your favorite new kitchen appliance!
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Photo by Alex Lau
43/67
Broccoli Bolognese with Orecchiette
Blanch chopped broccoli before cooking your pasta in the same water, then toss the whole thing with crumbled sausage and plenty of chile flakes, butter, and Parmesan.
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Photo by Alex Lau
44/67
Pasta Salad with Spring Vegetables and Tomatoes
Ginger-roasted cherry tomatoes, skillet-charred snap peas and scallions, and plenty of fresh basil and mint make this lighter pasta salad eminently craveable.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
45/67
Penne Without the Vodka
No vodka is needed for this spin on the classic pasta dish.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
46/67
Pasta With Mushrooms and Prosciutto
Getting the consistency of the creamy mushroom sauce right is key for this pasta recipe—you want to reduce it just until it clings to the pasta.
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Photo by Tina Rupp
47/67
Pressure-Cooker Mini Meatballs With Radiatori
Radiatori are small, crunched pieces of pasta that look like old- fashioned steam radiators. They’ll stay firm in this quick meal, offering good texture against the soft meatballs.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
48/67
Sausage, Greens, and Beans Pasta
What's in your pantry? Chickpeas? White beans? Either will work in this easy, filling pasta.
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Photo by Peden & Munk.
49/67
Spaghetti with No-Cook Tomato Sauce and Hazelnuts
This raw tomato sauce gets texture from zucchini and body from toasted nuts that are blended into the base. You can sub almonds for hazelnuts.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi
50/67
Bucatini All'Amatriciana
It's hard not to love this classic Italian pasta—it's just the right mix of spicy and sweet.
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Photo by Alex Lau
51/67
Salt-As-You-Go Pasta
The combination of salty water and salty Parmesan puts this pasta at risk of becoming oversalted. If that happens, throw in a knob of unsalted butter at the end to mellow it and add a smooth finish.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
52/67
Pasta with Smoky Pumpkin Cream Sauce
Don't be fooled by the simple ingredient list: the combo of pumpkin purée and heavy cream turns into a luxurious pasta sauce with a rich smokiness thanks to Spanish smoked paprika.
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Marcus Nilsson
53/67
Rigatoni with Lemon-Chile Pesto and Grated Egg
The secret to this silky, lemony sauce is plenty of butter, and the courage to use it all.
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Photo by Danny Kim, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi
54/67
Penne With Almond Pesto and Green Beans
Zap together a quicker, nuttier pesto with almonds. Green beans add extra vegetable deliciousness.
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55/67
Hidden Cauliflower Mac ‘n’ Cheese
A creamy, healthy take on your family's favorite that you can make in one pot using the Instant Pot.
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Linda Xiao
56/67
Linguine with Green Olive Sauce and Zesty Breadcrumbs
Bursting with the big, brash flavors of green olives, anchovies, and capers, this herbaceous pasta sauce isn't afraid to bite back.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
57/67
Microwave Lasagna With Spinach, Mushrooms, and Three Cheeses
You won't believe this hearty, flavorful lasagna was cooked in just 15 minutes using a microwave.
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Photo by Danny Kim, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi
58/67
Campanelle with White Beans, Lemon, and Burrata
Bright lemon, creamy burrata, and protein packed beans star in this weeknight pasta.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano and Stevie Stewart
59/67
Kale, Tomato, and Lemon Magic One-Pot Spaghetti
This pasta is a complete revelation. The sauce is magically made from the pasta water and tomatoes as the pasta cooks—all in one pan.
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Photo by Danny Kim, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi
60/67
Cavatappi with Tomatoes, Arugula, and Ricotta
A simple and summery pasta you'll make over and over.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
61/67
Pasta with Spicy Sausage, Radicchio, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Bitter radicchio, spicy Italian sausage, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes make for a sophisticated pasta with very little effort.
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Christopher Testani
62/67
Linguine with Burst Tomatoes and Chiles
A quick emulsion of olive oil, cheese, and pasta water is all it takes for this simple pasta sauce to come together.
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Ditte Isager
63/67
Fiorentini with Butternut Squash
When shredded, the butternut squash cooks quickly in the pan and adds bulk to this unique fall pasta.
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Photo by Ditte Isager
64/67
Orecchiette with Kale and Breadcrumbs
Orecchiette are the perfect shape for this quick weeknight pasta since they act like little spoons holding all the cheesy breadcrumb goodness.
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Photo by Christina Holmes
65/67
Spicy Lobster Pasta
Store-bought cooked lobster meat means fancy 20-minute weeknight pasta anytime.
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Christopher Testani
66/67
Orecchiette Carbonara with Charred Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts, pancetta, and pasta were made for each other.
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Photo by Gentl & Hyers
67/67
Spaghetti with Sun Gold Tomato Sauce
Sure, this pasta looks (and tastes) like summer. But since sweet yellow cherry tomatoes are available year round, there's no reason not to make it any time.
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