10 Easy Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Need a quick and comforting dinner? These 10 easy pasta recipes are perfect for when you’re short on time but don’t want to compromise on flavor. Each one is ready in 15–20 minutes, uses simple pantry staples, and works for families, solo meals, or casual guests.
Tip: Bookmark this post or pin the image below to come back anytime you need a quick dinner idea!
👨🍳 Why You’ll Love These Recipes:
- Quick & easy (15–20 minutes)
- No fancy ingredients
- Budget- and family-friendly
- Classic Italian flavors — some authentic, some reimagined
Whether you love creamy sauces, spicy heat, or light olive oil-based pastas, there’s something here for every taste.
10 Easy Pasta Recipes (With Times)
(Click each recipe title to jump to the section or scroll down for full descriptions)
- Creamy Bacon Pasta
- Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta (Zio Michele)
- Spaghetti with Anchovies (Spaghetti con Acciughe)
- Penne Arrabbiata (Spicy Pasta)
- Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Fusilli Alfredo
- Steak and Spaghetti
- Mussels and Spaghetti with White Wine
- Creamy Pasta with Chorizo
1. Creamy Bacon Pasta
⏱ Ready in 18 minutes
This creamy pasta with crispy bacon is pure comfort food. Add baby spinach for an easy nutrition boost — just toss it in one minute before serving.
Swap it: Ham, sausage, or go meatless — it’s all delicious.
2. Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta (Zio Michele)
⏱ Ready in 20 minutes
A creamy tomato-based sauce with the savory goodness of bacon. A nostalgic, warming pasta that’s perfect for picky eaters and grown-up cravings alike.
Vegetarian tip: Leave out the bacon and stir in roasted red peppers or olives.
3. Spaghetti with Anchovies (Spaghetti con Acciughe)
⏱ Ready in 15 minutes
Anchovies melt into hot olive oil to create a rich, salty sauce — quick and packed with umami. A weeknight hero dish.
Add chili flakes and toasted breadcrumbs for restaurant-level depth.
4. Penne Arrabbiata (Spicy Pasta)
⏱ Ready in 12 minutes
Bold, spicy, and so simple — the perfect fiery pasta. Control the heat to suit your family’s taste by adding chili only at the table.
Reduce spice for kids; amp it up for heat lovers.
5. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
⏱ Ready in 15 minutes
Garlic, chili, olive oil, and spaghetti — that’s it! Sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious.
Add chopped parsley and lemon zest for extra freshness.
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6. Creamy Mushroom Pasta
⏱ Ready in 15 minutes
Meaty mushrooms, rich cream, and garlic combine to create a cozy, vegetarian-friendly pasta that feels fancy without the fuss.
Add white wine, veggie broth, or a sprinkle of parmesan for even more flavor.
7. Fusilli Alfredo
⏱ Ready in 15 minutes
A creamy classic with a twist — the spirals of fusilli catch every drop of that luscious sauce. Great with frozen peas or broccoli stirred in.
Use milk instead of cream for a lighter version.
8. Steak and Spaghetti
⏱ Ready in 20 minutes
A hearty, meaty meal — pan-seared steak over garlic butter spaghetti. Perfect for a Friday night dinner without the takeout bill.
Use thinly sliced leftover steak or swap in portobello mushrooms.
9. Mussels and Spaghetti with White Wine
⏱ Ready in 20 minutes
Seafood lovers, this one’s for you! Mussels steam in a garlicky white wine sauce that soaks into the spaghetti beautifully.
No wine? Use lemon juice, chicken stock, or veggie broth.
10. Creamy Pasta with Chorizo
⏱ Ready in 20 minutes
Spicy, smoky chorizo in a rich cream sauce that clings to every bite. Add a handful of spinach or parsley to balance the heat.
Works great with rigatoni or penne too!
More Easy Pasta Ideas?
If these recipes hit the spot, check out these posts next:
- 👉 One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Effortless Dinners
- 👉 15-Minute Vegetarian Pasta Meals
- 👉 Budget-Friendly Weeknight Dinners
💡 Pasta Pro Tips
- Save Your Pasta Water: A ladle of starchy water makes any sauce silkier.
- Use Fresh Garlic: It’s the base of most of these dishes — skip the jarred stuff.
- Customize Everything: Swap proteins, adjust spice, and use what you have!
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10 easy pasta recipes in under 30 minutes
