• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter & Baggage logo
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Biscuits
    • Breakfast
      • Muffins
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Pasta
      • Mac and Cheese
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Chilis
  • Shop
  • My Favorites
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • About
    • Editorial Policies
    • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » MSN Slideshows

    21 Pasta Recipes for When You’re Too Tired to Think About Dinner

    Published: Dec 13, 2024 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    When it comes to pasta recipes, nothing beats the ease and comfort of a quick dinner when you’re too wiped out to think. These dishes are great for those nights when you want something simple but satisfying, without a ton of effort or planning. They’re perfect for throwing together with pantry staples or whatever you have on hand, so you can get a solid meal on the table fast. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or you’re just not in the mood for a big production, these recipes are here to save you.

    Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta

    Creamy pasta with Italian sausage on a platter
    Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This quick and easy creamy Italian sausage pasta is a great weeknight pasta dinner that will be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Sure to be a family favorite with savory Italian sausage and rosemary.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta

    Pasta With Prosciutto And Scallops

    Pasta With Prosciutto And Scallops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Pasta with Crisped Prosciutto, Asparagus and Scallops is fresh and light and comes together in just 20 minutes. You’ll love the light cream sauce flavored with crisped prosciutto. Great for a week night dinner but fancy enough for company.
    Get the Recipe: Pasta With Prosciutto And Scallops

    Ricotta Cheese And Broccoli Pasta

    A large bowl of broccoli pasta with ricotta.
    Ricotta Cheese And Broccoli Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli makes a perfect quick weeknight dinner. A lighter, but still flavorful, mac and cheese dish.
    Get the Recipe: Ricotta Cheese And Broccoli Pasta

    Pancetta Pasta

    Two serving spoons in a platter of pasta.
    Pancetta Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Enjoy diving into Fettuccine Carbonara with Pancetta, for a rich and creamy sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Pancetta Pasta

    Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

    A black platter of lemony chicken pasta on a grey napkin.
    Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Lemon Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight dish with tender chicken and a lemony cream sauce. A 30 minute meal you’ll love.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

    Chicken With Pesto And Pasta

    A Fork pulling out a serving of pesto chicken.
    Chicken With Pesto And Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Need to up your chicken game, try this one-pan chicken with pesto and pasta, a creamy sauce enhanced with prosciutto.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken With Pesto And Pasta

    Shrimp Pasta With Mascarpone

    Parmesan being added to shrimp and pasta.
    Shrimp Pasta With Mascarpone. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This easy shrimp and spinach pasta with mascarpone is rich and creamy and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pasta With Mascarpone

    Pasta E Fagioli

    Pasta E Fagioli. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Pasta e Fagioli is just what you need on a cold dreary day. A stick to your ribs comfort food that is full of flavor. Anchovies, pancetta and a parmesan cheese rind contribute to a fabulous soup that comes together in just a few minutes. Great for a weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Pasta E Fagioli

    Lemony Cauliflower Pasta Bake With Ricotta Cheese

    A blue casserole dish with baked cauliflower pasta.
    Lemony Cauliflower Pasta Bake With Ricotta Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Creamy cauliflower pasta bake has surprise pockets of ricotta cheese along with lemon and capers and a crispy topping.
    Get the Recipe: Lemony Cauliflower Pasta Bake With Ricotta Cheese

    Skillet Sausage And Pepper Pasta

    A bowl of sausage and pepper pasta next to crusty bread.
    Skillet Sausage And Pepper Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This super easy, one pot, sausage and pepper pasta recipe is perfect for a busy weekday night. A great weeknight dinner in 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Sausage And Pepper Pasta

    Penne With Artichokes And Italian Sausage

    Sun-Dried pasta with artichokes in a skillet.
    Penne With Artichokes And Italian Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Mix up pasta night and try Penne with Artichokes and Italian sausage. Artichokes add just the right flavor along with some sun-dried tomatoes for an easy pasta dish you can make in just 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Penne With Artichokes And Italian Sausage

    Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn

    A skillet of creamy shrimp carbonara.
    Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Follow these easy make-ahead steps for shrimp carbonara with grilled corn (it doesn’t have to be grilled) and bacon.
    Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn

    Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage

    A spoon full of baked pasta.
    Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This recipe for baked penne pasta combines homemade vodka sauce, withricotta cheese and crumbled Italian sausage. An easy pasta casserole!
    Get the Recipe: Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage

    Slow Cooked Pork Ragu Over Pasta

    Slow Cooked Pork Ragu Over Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Braised pork ragu cooks slow in the oven forming a deep rich sauce that’s great over pasta. Comfort food that’s even better for leftovers.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooked Pork Ragu Over Pasta

    Baked Ravioli

    Baked Ravioli. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Baked Ravioli is the most simple weeknight dinner that anyone can put together for a delicious meal. Prepared sauce and pasta make this the easiest meal you’ll ever make. Adding just few extra ingredients will make this a hit on those busy nights when you don’t have time to cook.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

    Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken

    Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    From-scratch chicken tetrazzini is a comfort food pasta dish with chicken, savory mushrooms, & pasta baked in a creamy homemade sauce, covered in cheese.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken

    Baked Spaghetti With Vodka Sauce

    A small casserole dish with baked spaghetti casserole.
    Baked Spaghetti With Vodka Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Baked spaghetti with vodka sauce is a creamy pasta that makes an easy meal that you can prepare in twenty minutes for a hungry crowd.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti With Vodka Sauce

    Jumbo Stuffed Shells

    A baking dish of stuffed shells covered with cheese before it is baked
    Jumbo Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Stuffed Shells with Spinach, three cheeses, a fabulous tomato sauce, and with either Italian or chicken sausage make for an Italian meal that’s restaurant worthy.
    Get the Recipe: Jumbo Stuffed Shells

    Lasagna With Bechamel

    Lasagna With Bechamel. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Homemade Lasagna Recipe is an all time favorite comfort food. Smothered in a creamy béchamel sauce it’s the best homemade lasagna you’ll find. Easier than it sounds and perfect if you want to feed a crowd.
    Get the Recipe: Lasagna With Bechamel

    Easy Sweet Potato Pasta With Creamy Sauce

    Easy Sweet Potato Pasta With Creamy Sauce. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This creamy sweet potato pasta recipe is made with smooth silken tofu, milk, and sweet potatoes for a rich, velvety sauce.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Pasta With Creamy Sauce

    Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

    Close-up of farfalle (bow-tie) pasta covered in a creamy tomato sauce with bits of chopped herbs, served in a pan—a must-try for anyone who loves delicious pasta recipes.
    Bow Tie Pasta Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Bow Tie Pasta recipes are my go-to for a fast and delicious meal. A creamy tomato parmesan sauce and topped with fresh basil leaves. So easy!
    Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

    Explore Recipes

    MSN Slideshows
    « 14 Christmas Candy Recipes So Good You’ll Regret Sharing Them
    24 Sweet and Sour Lemon Desserts to Keep Your December Anything but Dull »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

    Subscribe

    Spring Sides

    • A wooden spoon with a serving of macaroni salad.
      Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese
    • A plate of green bean salad with potatoes next to salmon.
      Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • A basket of yeast dinner rolls.
      Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls with a Modern, Foolproof Method
    • Cornbread corn pudding with a serving spoon in a casserole dish.
      Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Our All-Star Recipes

    • A round baking dish of mac and cheese with a serving spoon.
      Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
    • A skillet of charred corn with a wooden spoon.
      Skillet Charred Corn with Bacon and Cream
    • A serving spoon of ground beef potato casserole.
      Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup
    • A serving spoon of baked beans with hamburger.
      Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    • A baked chicken tamale pie.
      Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust
    • Square biscuits in a bowl with coffee cups.
      Square Buttermilk Biscuits (Tall & Flaky)

    COPYRIGHT © 2026 BUTTER & BAGGAGE | PRIVACY POLICY | WEB STORIES
    BRANDING & CUSTOMIZATION BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

    4 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required