food
By Stephanie Cain
•
Published May 23, 2020
It doesn’t take a million fancy ingredients to make an incredible meal. Don’t believe us? Here are 27 simple pasta recipes made with classic veggies and fridge and pantry staples, perfect for beginners and experts alike. Now off you go, master chef.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Cacio E Pepe
This Italian classic is the definition of “easy to make.” It’s just butter, cheese, pasta and freshly ground pepper.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
2. One-pot, 15-minute Pasta Limone
This one-pot, 15-minute pasta limone is like dinner in your back pocket: You likely have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already, and it comes together in practically no time.
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3. Bucatini Amatriciana
Tieghan Gerard from Half Baked Harvest has done it again. Here, she brings us a delightful combo of cherry tomatoes, rosemary, and, yes, smoked bacon.
4. Spaghetti Alla Carbonara
What’s that delicious smell? It’s not the trattoria downstairs…it’s your kitchen. Heidi Larsen’s traditional spaghetti alla carbonara is worth making for the wafting scent alone.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
5. Skillet Pasta With Summer Squash, Ricotta And Basil
Serve up this skillet pasta with summer squash, ricotta and basil instead. Best of all, this one-pan meal is ready in half an hour.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
6. Pasta Florentine With Grilled Chicken
You love chicken. You love pasta. Why not combine them into this creamy, smoky and downright delightful pasta Florentine with grilled chicken?
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7. Roasted Broccoli And Bacon Pasta Salad
Roasted broccoli, crispy bacon and hearty pasta make one helluva salad. Serve it as a side dish or a main dish—your call.
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8. Mezzi Paccheri Pasta With Burrata Cream, Guanciale And Saffron
Aida Mollenkamp’s burrata cream and guanciale pasta was inspired by a trip to the Tuscan hilltop town of Castelfalfi. (Just claim the story as your own.)
Emily Morgan
9. Cheesy Kale Farfalle Pasta
Kale, lemon and pecorino cheese are ridiculously delicious toppings for simple bow-tie pasta. (The kids will be into this one too.)
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10. Four-ingredient Stovetop Mac And Cheese
Step away from the blue box. You need only four ingredients to whip up your own homemade macaroni and cheese.
11. Easy Vegan Sausage Mushroom Marinara Pasta
You don’t need a refrigerator full of vegan ingredients to make a veg-friendly pasta. Case in point: Gena Hamshaw’s five-ingredient vegan sausage and mushroom pasta with marinara sauce.
12. Pesto Pasta Salad
Three words: tiny cheese balls. We’re loving the bursts of flavor in Maria Lichty’s pesto pasta salad that includes mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
13. Five-ingredient Butternut Squash, Arugula And Goat Cheese Pasta
Crunchy pine nuts top this sweet and savory whole-wheat pasta that’s just as delicious on your dinner plate as it is at your desk for lunch the next afternoon.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
14. 15-minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta
It’s gorgeous enough to serve at your next dinner party, but not too fancy for the kiddos.
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Inspired Entertainment/ The Domestic Geek's Meals Made Easy
15. One-pot Tomato Basil Pasta
The best part (beyond having just one pot to clean)? Once you’ve mastered this version, you can customize the recipe to your heart’s content.
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16. Goat Cheese Pasta With Spinach And Artichokes
This goat cheese pasta is bound to be a hit, and if you’re wondering, it takes only 25 minutes to make.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
17. Salami, Artichoke And Ricotta Pasta Salad
A few classic Italian flavors come together for one simple yet satisfying dish.
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18. Spaghetti With Avocado Pasta Sauce
This recipe is rich but totally virtuous, and the whole meal takes just 30 minutes to prepare. (Cue singing angels.)
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Inspired Entertainment/ The Domestic Geek's Meals Made Easy
19. One-pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo
Traditionally, you’d cook the pasta and sauce in at least two different pans, but in this 35-minute recipe, everything comes together in a single pot.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
20. Avocado And Black Bean Pasta Salad
We discovered a while back that pasta and avocado are meant to be together.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
21. Shrimp And Pasta Stew
Stew doesn't have to mean hours in the kitchen. This recipe comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it an easy staple.
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22. Pasta Pomodoro
Whip up a quick Italian classic that looks fancy, but it’s really just spaghetti with tomato sauce.
23. Creamy Sweet Corn Pappardelle
We don’t always eat vegan, but it’s a fun bonus when a creamy, delightful dish just so happens to be plant-based.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
24. Pasta Alla Norma
Best of all, you can make four servings for less than $10. Salute!
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
25. Butternut Squash And Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
This recipe combines all of our favorite fall flavors (mmm...butternut squash). We have a feeling you'll be making this all season long.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
26. Spicy Corn Carbonara
Imagine a plate of pasta that’s lusciously creamy, but not heavy.
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27. Easy Vegan Pizza Pasta Bake
Tastes like pizza, but with added frozen veggies and tofu feta, it’s actually pretty nutritious.
Stephanie Cain
Freelance PureWow Editor
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