Some nights you barely have 30 minutes between the school pickup and the bedtime routine. The oven feels far away, the sink is already full, and takeout is starting to look pretty good. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit — and that’s exactly why I keep this list of lazy pasta dinners tucked in the back of my mind.
Below, you’ll find 14 tried-and-true recipes I’ve rounded up from some of my favorite food bloggers. Every single one is doable on a weeknight, uses ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and — most importantly — actually tastes good. Let’s get into it.
What’s Inside
Here’s a quick look at all the recipes ahead — tap any one to jump straight to it.
- One Pot Chorizo, Bell Pepper, and Tomato Noodles • Salt & Lavender
- Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta • Salt & Lavender
- 15 Minute Creamy Garlic Pasta • Salt & Lavender
- Easy Chicken Fajita Pasta • Salt & Lavender
- One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta • Salt & Lavender
- Lemon-garlic Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta
- BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta
- Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Chicken Cacciatore Pasta
- Vegetable Pasta with Mozzarella
- Italian Drunken Noodles
The 14 Recipes
Each recipe below links out to the original creator’s blog — please give them a visit, leave a comment, and bookmark anything you love.
One Pot Chorizo, Bell Pepper, and Tomato Noodles • Salt & Lavender
Recipe from Salt & Lavender
If you’ve been on the hunt for a pasta dinner that actually delivers on flavor without keeping you in the kitchen, this one is it.
Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta • Salt & Lavender
Recipe from Salt & Lavender
I love how this dish manages to feel both comforting and quick. The whole family devours it, and the leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
15 Minute Creamy Garlic Pasta • Salt & Lavender
Recipe from Salt & Lavender
This has become a regular-rotation dinner in our house. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you have your act together, even on a Wednesday.
Easy Chicken Fajita Pasta • Salt & Lavender
Recipe from Salt & Lavender
This one comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and is ready in about 30 minutes — perfect for the kind of night when you’re already running behind.
One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta • Salt & Lavender
Recipe from Salt & Lavender
If you’ve been on the hunt for a pasta dinner that actually delivers on flavor without keeping you in the kitchen, this one is it.
Lemon-garlic Shrimp Scampi
Recipe from Daring Gourmet
I love how this dish manages to feel both comforting and quick. The whole family devours it, and the leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Recipe from Daring Gourmet
This has become a regular-rotation dinner in our house. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you have your act together, even on a Wednesday.
BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
Recipe from Daring Gourmet
This one comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and is ready in about 30 minutes — perfect for the kind of night when you’re already running behind.
Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta
Recipe from The Cozy Apron
If you’ve been on the hunt for a pasta dinner that actually delivers on flavor without keeping you in the kitchen, this one is it.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Recipe from The Cozy Apron
I love how this dish manages to feel both comforting and quick. The whole family devours it, and the leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Recipe from The Cozy Apron
This has become a regular-rotation dinner in our house. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you have your act together, even on a Wednesday.
Chicken Cacciatore Pasta
Recipe from The Cozy Apron
This one comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and is ready in about 30 minutes — perfect for the kind of night when you’re already running behind.
Vegetable Pasta with Mozzarella
Recipe from The Cozy Apron
If you’ve been on the hunt for a pasta dinner that actually delivers on flavor without keeping you in the kitchen, this one is it.
Italian Drunken Noodles
Recipe from The Cozy Apron
I love how this dish manages to feel both comforting and quick. The whole family devours it, and the leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
That’s a Lot of Pasta
Hope this gives you a few new ideas for the next time you need dinner on the table fast. If you try any of these, I’d love to hear which one became your favorite — leave me a comment and let me know.
—Elowen Thorn
Sources & Credits
Every recipe in this roundup is the work of a talented food blogger. Please visit their sites, leave a kind comment, and support the work they do: