40 Easy Pasta Recipes - The Plant Based School (2024)

No matter your schedule, we’ll show you how to whip up easy and satisfying dishes in no time at all.

From simple one–pot wonders to light and refreshing pasta salads, these meals offer bold flavors without the stress.

Browse through this list and take your pick:from vegetarian and healthy pasta dishestocreamy dishes that are Sunday dinner worthy.

Best of all, they’re made with wholesome and easy–to–find ingredients, making them perfect for families and weeknight dinners.

Pasta in 20 minutes

With its wide array of shapes, sizes, and textures, these 20–minute pastas can be dressed up or down in countless ways to suit your time constraints.

1. Zucchini pasta

Grated zucchini, fusilli pasta, and parmesan cheese are the main ingredients in this light and quick zucchini pasta. Serve as is, or pair it with a chickpea salad for added greens and color.

2. Pasta aglio e olio

One of the quickest pasta dishes with few ingredients is spaghetti Aglio e olio.

The aroma of the garlic-infused flavor of this 15-minute pasta dish will transport you straight to Italy.

3. Pasta Pomodoro

Ready in 20 minutes, this tomato-rich Pasta al Pomodoro is simple but super satisfying.

Serve your pasta with bruschetta or an easy side salad for an inviting and wholesome meal.

4. Penne all’arrabbiata

Zesty, quick, and creamy, this pasta arrabbiata (angry pasta) is easy to make and delicious.

It’s a family–friendly and moderately spicy dinner idea that is ready in just 15 minutes.

5. Broccoli pasta

Do you want to add more greens to your pasta?

Try this 20-minute broccoli pasta with mashed broccoli sauce and orecchiette pasta; it’s a creamy and fun pasta that will please your entire family!

6. Lemon ricotta pasta with spinach

Try this no–cook sauce with ricotta and parmesan; this recipe is featured in the recipe box.

Mixed with cooked pasta and spinach, this lemon ricotta pasta is a super quick and velvety creamy pasta. Easily adapted to vegetarians and vegans!

8. Mushroom Alfredo

Here’s a lighter Alfredo sauce with sauteed mushrooms, a no-fuss weekday dinner idea.

Serve with a quick tomato salad for a colorful and complete meal.

9. Vegan mushroom pasta

Here’s a mushroom pasta with authentic Italian flavor and plenty of bite and chewiness: vegan mushroom pasta.

Eat on its own, or serve with a fennel salad for a restaurant–like meal packed with flavor and greens.

10. Roasted red pepper pasta

Make the red pepper sauce in just 10 minutes and mix with al dente paccheri or rigatoni pasta.

Or upgrade this pasta with roasted cauliflower for added greens and crispiness; it’s a wholesome and satiating dinner idea.

11. Puttanesca

Pasta Puttanesca is a Neapolitan pasta dish with olives, capers, and canned tomatoes that you can make in 20 minutes.

It’s rich, tangy, and incredibly satisfying to eat despite its simple ingredients.

Quick to make, vibrantly red, and with healthy protein, this cherry tomato pasta is a handy dinner or lunch idea.

Pasta in 30 minutes

Take your pick from velvety, creamy, and easy pasta meals that are ready in 30 minutes or less. You will find vegetarian and vegan cooking instructions in all pasta recipes.

13. Rigatoni arrabbiata

Curious about how to add flavor and zest to your pasta? Try this arrabbiata sauce; it takes just 15 minutes to make and will add creamy and irresistible flavor to any pasta type.

Try with short pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli; it’s a perfect match!

14. Kabocha squash pasta

A fall and winter–friendly pasta with a creamy–dreamy sauce: easy kabocha squash pasta.

Roast the kabocha squash and mix it with ricotta and parmesan for a quick Italian–inspired pasta sauce that everyone will love.

16. Pesto pasta

Make this creamy, nutty, and refreshing pesto pasta mix with al dente pasta, green beans, and optionally boiled potatoes.

With your pesto leftovers, you can easily upgrade your sandwich or pasta salad and prepare for your next office lunch.

17. Cauliflower Alfredo pasta

Creamy Alfredo sauce but lighter and healthier; here’s a cauliflower alfredo pasta with loads of creaminess and flavor.

It takes just 25 minutes to make and makes a complete meal when paired with a pear salad or red cabbage salad.

18. Cauliflower pasta

If you love cauliflower and pasta, you’ll love this garlic and lemon-infused cauliflower pasta.

Add parmesan cheese and roasted pine nuts for added flavor, and serve with your favorite side salad and crostini to complete your meal.

A quick and veggie–packed pasta idea with plenty of taste and an Italian feel: mushroom ragu.

We quick-blend mushrooms for texture; it’s an easy way to make a meat–free yet super tasty pasta dinner.

Pasta Family Favorites

Add extra authentic Italian flavor to your cooking repertoire with these family-friendly pasta favorites.

These meals will unite the family around the dinner table with their comforting and timeless appeal.

20. Pasta e fa*gioli

Pasta a fa*gioli is a soup and main dish and, best of all, aneasyandcomfortingmealwithfew ingredients.

The rich and rustic flavors in this dish will please everyone around your table, kids and adults alike.

21. Lentil pasta

This lentil pasta recipe with cherry tomatoes will take you to the Italian countryside.

Simple and few ingredients paired with fresh Italian herbs result in a comforting and decadent pasta dish.

22. Pasta e ceci

You’ll love this wholesome pasta e ceci(pasta with chickpeas) because it’s easy to make inone potand is ready in just30 minutes.

It’s made with simple and affordablepantry staples, and you’ll feel amazing eating this nourishing and legume-rich dish.

Thislentil bolognese recipeis inspired by Italian bolognese sauce and is a perfect match with pasta, gnocchi, or lasagna.

Make it for dinner, and freeze the leftovers for a meal-prep-friendly and easy pasta sauce for the weekdays.

24. Kale pesto pasta

Here is a perfect pasta for when you’reshort on time; you can make thekale pesto saucein20 minutes.

The pesto keeps well forup to a week in the fridgeand severalmonths in the freezer,so it’s fantastic for last–minute meals.

25. Artichoke pasta

My grandma used to make this Pasta al Limone dish with delicious ripelemons from theAmalfi coast, mixingfragrant lemon zestwithfresh ricotta from the local farm.

It’s an easy creamy sauce withricotta and parmesan cheesethat does not require cooking, and it’s ready in 25 minutes!

26. Tofu Bolognese

Here’s a vegetarian and vegan-friendly pasta with tasty crumbled tofu and a rich tomato sauce.

This is essentially atofu bolognesethat you can put together for a quick, easy, and satiating meal injust about 30 minutes.

This is a vegetarian carbonararecipe with tofu or tempeh bacon, a simple recipe that can be made in20 minutes.

The taste of our carbonara sauce is similarto the taste of an Italian carbonara recipe with an eggy and tangy flavor.

28. Lemon pasta

This lemon pasta isquick and easyto make with straightforward ingredients.

Have a bite, andyou’ll be transported to Sorrentoand the Amalfi Coast, where lemons and pasta are staple ingredients.

You canserve this lemon pasta as is, folding in some freshly grated parmesan cheese.

29. Marinara sauce with spaghetti

This quick and no-fuss marinara saucerecipe is an easy way togive your meals a fresh kick.

You can use it as a pasta sauce, pizza topping, on top of veggies, or as a delicious and versatile dip!

30. Chestnut pasta with mushrooms

This chestnut pasta is a cozy, creamy, cheesy, and earthy pasta dish with sauteed mushrooms and blended chestnut pesto.

It’s made with a few simple ingredients and is a restaurant-worthy dish perfect for weekends and Sunday dinners.

31. Asparagus pasta

32. Vegan pasta salad

Need ideas for a quick and healthy lunch? This vegan pasta saladis the ideallunchtime mealbecause it’s fast to prepare and delicious.

A sweet and tangy mustard vinaigrette makes this salad a real crowd-pleaser.

33. Chickpea pasta salad

This chickpea pasta salad is ready in 20 minutes and is a happy and colorful lunch and dinner idea.

Make it with your favorite veggies, a short pasta type, and canned chickpeas – it’s a wholesome and satiating meal.

34. Macaroni salad

Next on our list is adelicious summer saladwith acooling crunchandluscious creaminess.

You can make this creamy macaroni salad ahead and serve it as amain or side dishforpotlucks,picnics, andbarbecues.

This spaghetti salad is acrowd-pleaseras it combines chewy spaghetti with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and a tasty Italian dressing.

It’s excellent forpicnics, potlucks, and barbecuesbut also perfect formeal prep, to bring to work, and for family dinners.

36. Eggplant salad

Eggplant saladis an easy and quick recipe withroastedeggplant, chickpeas, and crunchy seasonal vegetables.

It’s perfect as a make-ahead meal for potlucks and picnics.

37. Artichoke pasta salad

This creamy and elegant artichoke pasta is ready in just 20 minutes.

Make it with fresh lemon juice, olives, and pine nuts, then serve it for friends and family – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

38. Orzo salad

Next on our list is a light and bright orzo pasta salad.

It’s a quick and easy solution for atasty,satisfying, andhealthy meal. You can make it withfreshvegetables,chickpeas, and azesty mustard dressing.

39. Creamy pasta salad

This creamy pasta salad recipe is thebest for potlucks,barbeques,summercookouts, andpicnics.

It’s versatile, and you can serve it as astarter,side dish, or light andrefreshing main.

40. Pesto pasta salad

Pesto pasta saladis a quick and delicious meal you can make with your favorite pesto or dairy-free pesto and fresh veggies.

It’s packed withfresh flavorsand excellent for potlucks or adelightful dinner with your family.

Homemade pasta

These homemade pasta recipes are family-friendly, fun to prepare, and delicious to eat.

Take your pick from these easy-to-follow recipes with step-by-step instructions.

These butternut squash ravioliare soft and delicious pasta pillows filled with incrediblebutternut squash,ricotta, andparmesan filling.

Serve it with butter and sage sauce for an Italian homemade meal.

39. Potato gnocchi

Making gnocchi is an excellent family activity; equip yourselves with forks and a clean worktop!

Ourhomemade gnocchi recipemakes soft and deliciouspotato pillowswith three simple ingredients; it is surprisingly easy to make.

40. Sweet potato gnocchi

Sweet potato gnocchi is made with microwaved sweet potato and just two other ingredients.

You can make this simple and tasty recipe inabout 30 minutesand have it for a lovely dinner with your family. They are more accessible than you think!

Trofie pasta is a quick homemade pasta that you can shape using your hands. We show youhow to make trofie at home,like in Italy, withjust two ingredients.

Orecchiette with broccoli rabe

Orecchiette with broccoli rabeis a traditional Italian recipe from Apulia, a south-eastern region with incredible food, history, and beaches.

Homemade orecchiette pastais easy to prepare, with two simple ingredients:water anddurum wheat semolina flour.

Healthy pasta toppings

For a quick upgrade to bland pasta, take your pick from these flavor enhancers that pair well with cooked pasta:

• White sauce with five ingredients for a quick and creamy pasta sauce
• 5-min pesto with parsley, artichokes, or arugula
• Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, eggplant, cauliflower, or bell pepper, and add extra jazz and color to your pasta plate!
• Caramelized onions for a sweet and tangy addition to your pasta meal
• Slow-baked tomatoes with garlic and herbs – a sweet, creamy, and tenderly roasted tomato topping
• Steamed artichokes with fork-tender artichoke texture and a rich, mild nutty flavor
• Chili oil for added zest and spicy-ness
• Sauteed mushrooms are a chewy pairing with al dente pasta and creamy hummus; we try this combination in our hummus pasta recipe.