Comforting, easy, and versatile are just a few ways to describe pasta. It’s also budget-friendly, quick to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So, we’re paying homage to this beloved carb. Dig into this collection of super-easy pasta dinners that come together with just five ingredients (or less). From Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake and 5-Ingredient Summer Tortellini Skillet to Frittata di Pasta, there’s something here for everyone.
01 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Get Recipe: 5-Ingredient Italian Pasta Salad
“My favorite pasta shape for this salad is radiatori. The name comes from the fact that the shape looks like miniature radiators. They have lots of grooves and ridges so they hold the sauce well. They’re a sturdy shape that won’t fall apart as the pasta salad sits in the fridge, plus they’re fun to eat.” —Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers
02 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: 5-Ingredient Fresh Tomato Pasta
“The recipe comes together in around 15 minutes, since you make the sauce while the pasta is cooking and then toss everything together in the saucepan at the end. This is one of those riffable recipes that you can make your own, just don’t fuss over it too much; it should be nice and easy.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer
03 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
Get Recipe: Broccoli Pasta
“One of our favorite dinners is a quick and easy weeknight pasta dish chock-full of broccoli. I’m talking equal parts pasta to broccoli. Seasoned with a little fresh garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and lots of nutty Parmesan cheese, these few humble ingredients transform into a delicious and comforting meal the whole family enjoys.” —Molly Adams
04 of 16
Credit: Simple Recipes / Frank Tiu
Get Recipe: 4-Ingredient Pesto Tortellini Salad
“At my house, we go through far more cheese tortellini than I could ever imagine making by hand, so I always make sure I have a pack or two in the fridge for dinner emergencies. You can use whatever variety of tortellini and pesto you like, but I love the convenience factor and flavor of the Kirkland versions.” —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer
05 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Grace Elkus
Get Recipe: Lemony Zucchini Pasta with Cottage Cheese
“The recipe begins in the same brilliant way as this one-pot zucchini pasta: grate two pounds of zucchini, cook it down until it becomes wonderfully thick and spreadable, then toss it with a pound of pasta. But this time, I’m stirring in a creamy mixture of whipped cottage cheese, lemon zest and juice, and heaps of fresh basil, resulting in a verdant five-ingredient pasta that you’ll want to make on repeat.” —Grace Elkus, Recipe Developer
06 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: Quick Sardine Pasta
“You only need a tin of sardines, a can of tomatoes, a handful of capers, lots of garlic, and a box of pasta to make this simple dinner. Capers bolster the brininess of the sardines and add an extra pop of salty flavor to the simple tomato sauce. The garlic-spiked sauce simmers as you boil the pasta and it’s all tossed together and on the table in about half an hour.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer
07 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: One-Pot Caprese Orzo
“The simplicity of caprese salad lends itself to variation, as does this pasta-fied version. Here are some of my favorite options if you want to switch things up: Add basil pesto instead of the fresh basil. Swirl a few tablespoons into the dish when you remove it from the heat and add the fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. Finish with toasted pine nuts for added texture. Skip the mozzarella and top each serving with a quarter of a ball of burrata cheese for an extra creamy finish or cubes of smoked scamorza cheese for a smoky note. Add more protein by tossing in some shredded chicken.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer
08 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Spaghetti all’Assassina (Assassin’s Spaghetti)
“This naturally vegan pasta really doesn’t need further bells and whistles, but you can certainly add them. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is an easy addition, but a soft cheese like a little fresh burrata is nice to help offset the heat.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
09 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne
Get Recipe: Pasta Carbonara
“Classic spaghetti carbonara is an indulgent yet surprisingly simple recipe. Made with pancetta (or bacon) and plenty of Parmesan cheese, our foolproof recipe takes just 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish.” —Elise Bauer, Founder
10 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Danielle Campbell
Get Recipe: Shrimp Pesto Pasta
“I made this recipe often for my clients as a private chef, and I was also told it was a kid favorite. All you need to make it are four key ingredients: some fresh basil pesto, thick-cut bacon, shrimp, and a box of your favorite curly pasta.” —Danielle Campbell, Recipe Developer
11 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: 5-Ingredient Summer Tortellini Skillet
“This recipe is flexible in terms of produce, so go ahead and use up whatever’s hanging around in your fridge. You can swap in yellow summer squash, bell peppers, onions, and any other quick-cooking veggies you have on hand.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer
12 of 16
Credit: Mark Beahm / Simply Recipes
Get Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
“The brilliance here really does lie in the dish’s simplicity. With just four ingredients, you have a dinner that can feed a family for several days. Penne pasta provides the carbs, rotisserie chicken brings the protein, broccoli gives it a green veggie pop, and a good Alfredo sauce ups your flavor.” —Joey Firoben, Recipe Developer
13 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
Get Recipe: 3-Ingredient Cajun Alfredo Pasta
“After cooking the pasta, Cajun smoked sausage is seared in a skillet, then store-bought alfredo sauce is added. The cooked penne is stirred into the creamy sauce for a delicious 15-minute meal. Optional toppings include parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and cracked red pepper.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
14 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: The Bright, Lemony 4-Ingredient Pasta I Make on Repeat
“This lemon artichoke pasta has just enough zip to wake up your senses. The quartered artichokes give the dish a bit of savoriness from their brine, breaking up the monotony of plain ol’ pasta. But the dish’s brightness comes from lemon juice, with just a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice.” —Amanda Blum, Recipe Developer
15 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
Get Recipe: Frittata di Pasta (Pasta Frittata)
“What I love most about this dish is how flexible it is. Sometimes I stir a spoonful of pesto straight into the skillet while the eggs and pasta set. You could also grate some lemon zest into the egg mixture for brightness, or if you love preserved lemons like I do, chop some up and throw them into the egg mixture.” —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
16 of 16
Credit: Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer
Get Recipe: Easy Sausage Pasta
“The pasta is where we vary things the most. Though Barilla rigatoni was always my husband’s go-to, I’ve convinced him to stretch beyond the one pasta shape. In fact, one of our favorite Meaty, Meaty renditions ever was made with chocolate-flavored fettuccine, which gave it a rich complexity beyond our expectations.” —Alice Levitt, Contributor
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