Easy recipes with pasta
Got pasta and not sure what to make? Here are 8 easy dinners you can cook tonight. Each one keeps to everyday ingredients and a single skillet or sheet pan where possible, with rough prep and cook times so you can pick by how much time you have. Prefer to cook with exactly what's on your shelf? Tell Cache & Cook what you have and it drafts a recipe free.
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Basil
25 min Serves 4weeknightitaliancomfort food
Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
20 min Serves 4weeknightitalianvegetarian
Pasta alla Diavola with Crispy Garlic Oil
15 min Serves 4weeknightitalianspicy
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Spinach
20 min Serves 4weeknightitalian-inspiredquick
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
20 min Serves 4weeknightitalianhearty
Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Basil
15 min Serves 4weeknightvegetarianitalian-inspired
Buttered Pasta with Crispy Sage and Parmesan
15 min Serves 4weeknightitalianvegetarian
Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic & Fresh Basil
15 min Serves 4weeknightitalian-inspiredvegetarian
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Common questions
- Can I use a different type of pasta than what a recipe calls for?
- Yes, you can usually substitute different pasta shapes as long as you adjust cooking time slightly—shorter, thinner pastas cook faster while thicker ones take longer. Just make sure the sauce consistency matches your pasta choice, as heavier sauces work better with tube or ridged shapes.
- How do I know when pasta is done cooking?
- Taste a piece at the minimum cooking time listed on the box; it should be tender but still have a slight firmness when you bite it (called 'al dente'). If it's too soft or mushy, you've overcooked it, so it's better to start checking a minute or two early.
- What can I do with leftover cooked pasta?
- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, then reheat gently with a splash of water or broth, or toss it cold into salads. You can also freeze cooked pasta for up to 3 months—just thaw it in the fridge and reheat when ready.
- How can I make my pasta meals healthier?
- Use whole wheat or legume-based pastas for more fiber and protein, or mix regular pasta with vegetables like zucchini noodles or chopped spinach to bulk up the dish. Focus on lighter sauces with olive oil, tomatoes, and lean proteins rather than heavy cream-based options.
- What are cheap, easy ways to stretch a box of pasta into a full meal?
- Add plenty of vegetables, beans, or lentils to your sauce—they're inexpensive and make the dish more filling and nutritious. A simple tomato sauce with garlic and a little oil, topped with grated cheese, is budget-friendly and can feed a family when served with a side salad or bread.