With four kids, I’m constantly on the lookout for easy dinner recipes. Enter the pasta dish. Pasta recipes are one of several go-to recipes for busy moms. Whether you’re rushing to prepare a meal after a long day or simply craving something delicious yet quick to prepare, pasta dishes are lifesavers. Plus, they’re endlessly customizable, so they’re a great option for picky eaters! Best of all, many pasta recipes take just 15 minutes to make. So, really, what’s not to love about a good bowl of pasta?
Today, I’m sharing a round-up of 15-minute pasta recipes that are just as easy to make as they are delicious. These recipes are perfect for hectic days when you want to prepare something satisfying for your family without spending hours at the stove. So, let’s dive in!
Easy 15 Minute Pasta Recipes for Busy Moms
Lemon Garlic Spaghetti
With zesty lemon, garlic, and a touch of parmesan, this simple yet flavorful pasta dish makes for a light and refreshing meal. Perfect for a warm day when you want the heartiness of a pasta dish, without feeling weighed down. P.S – I love these storage containers for all types of pasta!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Fresh garlic
- Lemon juice and zest
- Parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
- While pasta cooks, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until golden.
- Add lemon zest, juice, and a spoonful of pasta water to the pan.
- Toss in the cooked spaghetti, sprinkle with parmesan, and season with salt and black pepper.
Creamy Pesto Pasta
Pesto lovers, this is the pasta for you! This recipe offers a creamy twist on a classic basil pesto dish to give you the perfect balance of richness and freshness.
Ingredients
- Penne pasta
- Basil pesto
- Heavy cream
- Grated parmesan
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook penne until al dente.
- In a pan, mix pesto and heavy cream over low heat.
- Add the cooked pasta, stirring to coat evenly.
- Top with grated parmesan and serve hot.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
You can’t go wrong with a classic Italian favorite! This pasta recipe combines garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes for a quick meal for anyone who is craving something spicy! Simple yet bursting with flavor!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Garlic cloves
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Boil spaghetti in salted water.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil until fragrant.
- Toss in the cooked pasta and a little pasta water, stirring to combine.
- Season with salt and black pepper, and serve.
Tomato Basil Fettuccine
Try this alternative way to use hearty fettuccine noodles! This quick tomato-based sauce with fresh basil creates an irresistibly delicious dish. The key here is using fresh ingredients for maximum flavor.
Ingredients
- Fettuccine pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook fettuccine until al dente.
- In a pan, sauté cherry tomatoes with garlic and olive oil until the tomatoes soften.
- Toss the pasta with the tomatoes and add torn basil leaves.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve hot.
Cacio e Pepe
Another popular pasta recipe, this one is as simple as it gets—just pasta, cheese, and black pepper—but it’s so comforting and flavorful that you’ll be coming back for more.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Grated pecorino or parmesan cheese
- Starchy pasta water
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in salted water, reserving some of the starchy pasta water.
- Toss the cooked pasta with black pepper, cheese, and pasta water to form a creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of cheese.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Shrimp and garlic butter sauce come together in this quick pasta dish to make you feel like you’re dining at a fancy restaurant! It’s perfect for giving you a touch of luxury on a weeknight.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Garlic
- Butter
- Lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
Instructions
- Boil the pasta while sautéing garlic in butter.
- Add shrimp and cook until pink, then toss in red pepper flakes and lemon juice.
- Combine the shrimp with the cooked pasta, toss, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Arrabbiata Pasta
Here’s another pasta recipe to consider if you like a bit of heat. This spicy tomato-based dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Quick, fiery, and delicious!
Ingredients
- Penne pasta
- Crushed tomatoes
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook penne until al dente.
- In a pan, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil.
- Add crushed tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce and serve with grated parmesan.
Carbonara
The ultimate comfort food, carbonara is rich and creamy, yet you don’t need to use any cream. The rich sauce comes together with just eggs, cheese, and bacon.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Eggs
- Parmesan cheese
- Bacon or pancetta
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Boil pasta while cooking bacon in a separate pan.
- Whisk together eggs and parmesan cheese.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the bacon and remove from heat.
- Stir in the egg mixture, making sure the pasta is off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs. Add black pepper to taste.
Caprese Pasta
All the flavors of a caprese salad in pasta form perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. Yes please!
Ingredients
- Bowtie pasta
- Fresh mozzarella
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Boil pasta and drain.
- Toss with mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, torn basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Spinach Ricotta Pasta
Another creamy pasta dish, this time with ricotta cheese and spinach. The spinach makes it a nutritious and filling option that still feels indulgent.
Ingredients
- Penne or rigatoni
- Fresh spinach
- Ricotta cheese
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil pasta and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and spinach in olive oil until wilted.
- Mix in ricotta cheese and cooked pasta.
- Top with parmesan and serve.
My Favorite Ideas on What To Serve With Pasta
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Salad
- Steamed or roasted vegetables
- Grilled chicken
These 15-minute pasta recipes make meal time quick, easy, and delicious!
Incorporating these 15-minute pasta recipes into your weekly meal rotation is a great way to have a quick and easy meal for busy evenings. If you liked this roundup, be sure to check out my easy instant pot chili recipe. And don’t forget to check out these unique Thanksgiving side dishes that would be delicious alongside your pasta dish!
Also, if you’re a busy mom like me, you can also read up on my simple cleaning tips for busy moms and my beauty hacks for busy moms. See you on the blog!
