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It’s the common question when the evening hours roll around: what’s for dinner? And while the options are endless, it’s rare that all family members are totally on board with what’s on the menu.

These 23 weeknight pasta dinner recipes are the answer! Because let’s face it: everyone knows that there’s nothing more satisfying than a big bowl of pasta!

So whether your family loves a tomato-forward recipe or one that focuses on something without the red sauce, there are options for everyone in this list!

Spoon holding serving of Sungold tomato pasta with rest of pasta recipe below.
Sungold Tomato Pasta Bake (see below)

Tomato-Forward Pasta Recipes

For so many, pasta pairs so well with tomatoes. Whether it’s canned tomato sauce or diced tomatoes that simmer down to create a delicious homemade sauce, these are the recipes to make!

Large metal stockpot filled with meat sauce with spaghetti with tongs sitting on top with swirl of noodles all on marble surface with towel, green herbs, and Parmesan cheese.

Meat Sauce with Spaghetti

4.89 from 9 votes
While this sauce is not a traditional Italian recipe, it’s packed with flavor and is easy enough to make any night of the week or special enough for the weekend.
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White plate filled with serving of lasagna casserole with fork resting on plate as well.

Lasagna Casserole

4.88 from 16 votes
It's a simplified lasagna with rich flavor; no layering is required!
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Roasted tomato pasta sitting in large brown bowl with balls of burrata cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Roasted Tomato Pasta

5 from 9 votes
Using produce that's in season, this roasted and blended sauce with pasta makes the oven do all the work.
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White marble surface filled with large pan filled with ragù sauce with pasta showing along with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and cups of red wine.

Weeknight Ragù

4.91 from 11 votes
When you’re in the mood for something super delicious but are short on time, this weeknight ragù recipe is the answer!
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Black cast iron skillet with homemade goulash baked inside sprinkled with cheddar cheese on top with towel covering handle of skillet.

Easy Homemade Goulash

5 from 37 votes
Everything for this homemade goulash recipe is made in one skillet with rich, almost caramel-like tomato flavors. It’s super yummy and perfect for cozy nights!
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Top down view of white plate filled with spaghetti and meatballs sitting on white countertop with a white napkin

Meatballs with Spaghetti

5 from 9 votes
This recipe focuses on crafting a delicious meatball and complements it with a delicious homemade sauce. When twirled with pasta, it's a match made in heaven!
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White marble surface with metal stockpot filled with cooked bolognese sauce tossed with pasta with wooden spoon resting on bottom of pan.

Super Delicious Bolognese

4.80 from 5 votes
While this bolognese recipe is not truly traditional, it’s packed with so much flavor that you’ll want to make it time and again!
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Top down view of white baking dish filled with pasta with red sauce and cheese all over the top with spoon sitting in dish

Baked Rotini Casserole

4.63 from 24 votes
Noodles, sauce, and cheese combine to make the perfect dish whether on a weeknight or weekend!
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Creamy & Cheesy Pasta Recipes

Not everyone loves tomatoes when it comes to pasta. So, these recipes are meant to highlight the beauty of pasta when paired with simple yet flavorful ingredients!

Marble surface with bowl filled with creamy sausage pasta with brown towel to the side.

Creamy Sausage Pasta

5 from 2 votes
This creamy sausage pasta is a late-summer dream: smoky poblano peppers add gentle heat, sweet corn brings crisp sweetness, and savory sausage deepens the flavor.
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Large gray pot filled with cooked butternut squash pasta with spoon scooping out a serving of pasta.

Cheesy Butternut Squash Pasta

4.50 from 2 votes
This cheesy butternut squash pasta bake is the mac and cheese you never knew you needed.
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Large pot filled with cooked pasta and butternut squash with spoon resting against the side of the pot.

Brown Butter Squash Pasta

5 from 4 votes
Browned butter pairs with tender squash, while garlic and sage complement each, all tossed with the pasta of your choice!
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Large metal stockpot filled with fettuccine alfredo with pieces of chicken resting on top along with tongs all on white marble surface.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

5 from 1 vote
Only three simple steps are required to make this meal that’s packed with tons of creamy, hearty flavor.
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Large Dutch oven filled with tuna noodle casserole topped with melted cheese, chopped parsley, and browned bread crumbs with wooden spoon resting in bowl.

One Pot Stovetop Tuna Noodle Casserole

5 from 17 votes
Creamy cheese is combined with chunks of tuna, slightly sweet peas, and hearty pasta to create a delicious meal that can be ready in minutes.
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White bowl with brown rim filled with creamy sausage pasta and greens all on white surface.

Creamy Sausage & Spinach Pasta

4.69 from 16 votes
This sausage and spinach pasta recipe is bursting with warm, rich flavor and will serve a crowd!
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White baking dish filled with baked Sungold pasta with breadcrumbs all over the top sitting on white marble surface.

Sungold Tomato Pasta Bake (Picture Above)

4.89 from 9 votes
Sungold tomatoes combine with pasta to form a mixture of sweetness from the tomatoes with a bit of acidity. It's totally unique!
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White bowl filled with beef and noodles with sprinkling of chopped parsley over the top with fork sitting in bowl as well.

The Best Beef and Noodles

4.97 from 28 votes
This truly is one of the best beef and noodle recipes, if I do say so myself! Try it once and you'll know exactly what I mean!
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White plate filled with spaghetti noodles with brown butter sauce on top with shaved asparagus and bacon and chive pieces

Brown Butter Spaghetti with Bacon & Asparagus

5 from 18 votes
Topped with shaved asparagus, bacon, and Pecorino cheese, this brown butter pasta dish is perfect for a weeknight meal!
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Fresh Vegetable Pasta Recipes

Looking for something a bit lighter or a new way to enjoy the produce of the season while incorporating a love for pasta? These recipes have you covered!

Large cooking pot filled with sweet corn pasta with pieces of cooked cherry tomato and wooden spoon resting against the side of the bowl.

Tomato & Sweet Corn Pasta

5 from 10 votes
Combined with fresh tomatoes and basil, this garden-inspired pasta can come together in less than 30 minutes.
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Large metal stockpot filled with pasta mixed with herbs and tomatoes all on marble surface.

Fresh Tomato Herb Pasta

5 from 7 votes
This tomato-forward pasta dish is a great way to use up extra tomatoes and herbs, all in an easy-to-make summertime recipe!
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White bowl filled with spicy peanut noodles sitting on white countertop with basil and peanuts on top.

Spicy Peanut Noodles

5 from 10 votes
Tossed with vegetables and peanuts, this spicy noodle recipe has everything you want and need for dinner!
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Metal stockpot sitting on white countertop filled with penne pasta along with tomatoes and zucchini and basil pieces.

Tomato Zucchini Summer Pasta

5 from 29 votes
Ten ingredients come together in less than 30 minutes to form a simple, flavorful dish that can only be thought of as the essence of summer, all in a quick weeknight pasta.
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Top down view of large kettle sitting on white countertop filled with orange colored squash pasta with wooden spoon inside

Sausage & Butternut Squash Pasta

4.42 from 24 votes
Made from large tubular pasta and a butternut squash sauce, the flavors are impeccable and serves a crowd!
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Top down view of yellow pasta covered in pesto sauce and topped with pieces of crispy prosciutto all on white countertop

Orecchiette with Pea Pesto Sauce

5 from 9 votes
Nothing could be better than a pea pesto that's topped with lemon zest and asparagus for a bright, spring flavor!
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Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

Learn More About Me

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1 Comment

  1. Nancy Bird says:

    I missed your recipe for spaghetti and shrimp it looked so good. Where do I get your cookbook in Canada?

    Reply