37 Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes with Few Ingredients

There’s nothing like a good pasta recipe—especially when it doesn’t require too many fancy ingredients and you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes.

I know that’s what I’m looking for every weeknight, so I’ve rounded up 37 of my favorite quick and easy pasta recipes with few ingredients for you!

These recipes are great for families or people who live alone.

They require only a few ingredients, and after a long day of work or school, you will be able to put together one of these simple dishes in no time at all.

We promise: in less than an hour (and usually with fewer than 5 ingredients), dinner will be done and on the table.

37 Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes with Few Ingredients

Maybe you have ambitions of making a glorious bolognese, but when it comes down to it, you just want a bowl of something warm and satisfying without having to do the shopping for all those different ingredients or spend hours stirring away at the stove.

Sometimes all you want is a simple bowl of spaghetti, some butter and parmesan, and maybe some garlic bread on the side.

And here we are with 37 recipes for just that sort of thing—plus a whole lot more:

1. 3-Ingredient Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

I love quick and easy recipes, so this pasta dish is my new BFF.

It’s perfect for a weeknight meal and only takes 8 minutes to get on the table.

I’m talking supper in under 10 minutes.

And it has six fewer ingredients than the boxed version, and only 605 calories!

Prefer to watch a video?

2. 3-Ingredient Instant Pot Penne Pasta

This recipe has just 2 minutes of prep time, 18 minutes of cook time, and only 4 servings, so it’s quick and easy to whip up.

And did I mention it’s saucy and creamy?

But the best part?

It only has 502 calories per serving.

That’s right, guys—it’s less than 500 calories, which means you’re still good with that diet soda you had at lunch.

Just kidding! I’m here to help you break free from bad habits, not encourage them 😉

So don’t worry about your New Year’s resolutions—you can keep this one!

3. 4-Ingredient Cacio E Pepe

This quick and easy recipe can be ready in 15 minutes or less.

It only serves four, but it’s a perfect meal to make when you’re looking for an authentic Italian dinner that won’t take all your time to make.

Plus, it has 4.9 stars—that means everyone else who’s tried this agrees!

It’s simple, but feels fancy—what more could you ask for?

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

4. 4-Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

This tasty recipe takes only 5 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cook time, and it makes 6 servings—so it’s perfect for a weeknight meal that doesn’t require much cleaning up or freezing and reheating.

The recipe also only has 216 calories per serving.

Even better?

This macaroni and cheese is kid-friendly, so you can keep the little ones happy while you’re busy making dinner.

5. 4 Ingredient Chicken Pasta casserole

This is the perfect comforting weeknight meal, ready in under 30 minutes.

With only four ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is easy to throw together before you run out the door for work or school in the morning.

Just pop it in the oven when you get home, and dinner will be ready before you have time to change your clothes!

The best part?

You can make a big batch of this at once and serve it for dinner several nights in a row.

Every night will taste just as delicious as the first—and if you have any leftovers, they’ll make for a tasty lunch the next day.

6. 4-Ingredient Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Parmesan

This recipe is absolutely perfect for those nights when you don’t have a lot of time or energy but still want to whip up something delicious.

It’s so easy, it’s basically impossible to mess it up—and it only uses ONE pot! 

This one-dish meal has loads of flavor and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Plus, it’s made with only FOUR ingredients that you can easily find in your pantry.

It takes just two minutes to prep and twelve minutes to cook.

It makes six servings, so there will be plenty for everyone!

7. 4 Ingredient Cheesy Baked Gnocchi with Marinara, Basil, and Mozzarella

This is maybe the easiest dinner ever. It’s one of my go-to recipes on days where I just don’t want to cook anything fancy, but I still want something that’s gonna be delicious.

This is a great recipe for beginners and cooks who are a little more experienced.

You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already, and you can’t go wrong with adding some fresh basil and mozzarella to pasta!

8. Four Ingredient Spaghetti Carbonara For Two

If you’re looking for a quick and easy pasta recipe with minimal ingredients, look no further than this 4-Ingredient Spaghetti Carbonara For Two.

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite types of pasta is spaghetti carbonara.

But what I don’t like is the amount of ingredients it takes to make it.

This recipe for four ingredient spaghetti carbonara for two checks all the boxes: comes together in under 30 minutes, has silky spaghetti noodles, and is speckled with flecks of bacon.

9. 4-Ingredient Garlic Parmesan Zoodles

This recipe is going to blow your mind.

It’s quick and easy, requires few ingredients, and will leave you wondering why you haven’t been making these zoodles for years.

This fragrant dish that can be whipped up in under 10 minutes flat.

The zucchini noodles are a great substitute for pasta, and paired with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, this dish can be served as an appetizer or a main course.

This recipe serves 2 people.

To make it last longer, I like to double the amounts to make enough servings for 4 people.

That way I can keep some leftovers in the fridge for lunch the next day with minimal effort!

10. 5-Ingredient Creamy Pasta with Asparagus & Peas

This simple supper for two is ready in under 20 minutes and hits 3 of your 5-a-day, plus it’s healthy.

It’s vegetarian, so if you’re trying to get more vegetables in your diet (I am!), this is a great meal to add.

It only has 658 calories per serving.

This recipe serves two people—perfect for a romantic dinner or a simple supper with a friend.

It only takes 12 minutes to cook the whole thing, but I’d recommend setting aside 5 minutes to prep your ingredients beforehand so that all you have to do is throw them into the pan when it’s time.

I hope you like this recipe as much as I did!

11. 4-Ingredient Cacio e pepe

This particular recipe is for four-ingredient cacio e pepe, which is basically a speedy lunch or dinner made with just four simple ingredients – spaghetti, pepper, parmesan and butter.

It has 21g of protein and 565 calories per serving.

This one stood out to me in particular because it’s so quick and easy.

It only takes five minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time—so it’s not like a long-term project or anything.

12. 5-Ingredient Runner Bean & Prosciutto Pasta

This is the perfect recipe to cook on a lazy day, and it’s absolutely packed full of nutrients.

You can get 19g of protein, and it’s low in salt, with 459 calories total.

It only takes 10 minutes to prep and 12 minutes to cook, so you can be eating in under half an hour!

Give it a try, and let us know how you like it below!

13. 5-Ingredient Asparagus Pasta with Mint Pesto

I know you’re going to love this recipe.

It’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, but also great for entertaining guests at a dinner party.

It’s vegetarian, easily halved, very high in protein, low in salt, and has only 507 calories.

That last part is huge because the pasta is so incredibly filling and healthy.

The pesto goes great with the asparagus—it’s one of the best parts about this dish!

And you can’t go wrong with mint—it’s just so flavorful!

You can use this pesto as a salad dressing all on its own or mix it into your favorite pasta sauce for some extra flavor for future meals.

14. 4-Ingredient Salmon & Spinach Pasta

This dish has loads of healthy ingredients and it reflects that in its nutritional facts as well.

It’s a colourful supper high in folate and rich in omega-3, very high in protein and low in salt.

If you’re watching your weight, then this is 811 calories per serving!

One look at the recipe and you’ll see what I mean about its simplicity: it takes 3 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.

The only major ingredient that may not be in your cupboard is salmon fillets but you can pick them up from any good supermarket or fishmonger on your way home from work.

Here’s a video if you prefer:

15. 3-Ingredient Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli

The best thing about this recipe is how few ingredients you need—broccoli, pasta, and goat cheese.

I would’ve never thought those three things could go together, but they just… do.

The broccoli is crunchy, the goat cheese is melty, and it all just goes beautifully together.

It’s gluten-free and high-protein, which makes this a great meal for me (and probably you!).

It’s super simple to make too—the prep time is only 5 minutes and the cook time is 10 minutes.

You can even refrigerate the leftovers for up to 1 day if you have any (I always double my recipe so I have enough for leftovers), so that means I can eat this delicious stuff for days!

So the next time you’re looking for a fast, easy meal that’s healthy and tastes amazing?

Go with this one!

16. 3-Ingredient Easy pesto pasta

Quick, easy and satisfying are three words that come to mind when I think about this recipe.

And when you look at the ingredients list—you won’t believe your eyes. Seriously, it’s short.

It’s so short you might even have all the ingredients in your pantry already!

This is a recipe that can be used for any night of the week or weekend!

It’s vegetarian, family-friendly, and provides 336 calories per serving (which is six servings). 

And get this: it only takes 5 minutes to make!

Yes!

You heard that right: 5 minutes! We’re talking pantry + fridge + stovetop + done.

It really couldn’t be easier.

17. 5-Ingredient Spinach Parmesan Pasta

This recipe makes 4 servings and only takes 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a convenient but delicious meal that won’t take all night to make.

Plus, it’s only 352 calories per serving—not bad for a full dinner!

I also really love this recipe because it’s full of flavor.

The pasta has earthy notes from the spinach and rich umami flavor from the parmesan cheese.

It’s very satisfying!

I hope you’ll try out this recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below.

18. 4-Ingredient Ravioli Lasagna

Looking for an easy, quick, and delicious meal for a busy weeknight or to entertain a few friends?

I have the perfect recipe for you!

This 4-Ingredient Ravioli Lasagna from twopeasandtheirpod.com has 4.8 stars and is pretty simple to make!

It only takes 10 minutes of prep time and 55 minutes in total.

I personally love this recipe because it’s the perfect meal to serve when you’re entertaining friends: it’s easy to make, looks great, and tastes delicious!

And I like serving garlic bread on the side.

19. 6-Ingredient Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil

When I’m short on time and money, this is the recipe that makes it all better.

At its core, Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil is a humble dish, but it’s also incredibly fragrant and comforting.

It’s one of those recipes that brings me back to my childhood—mealtimes with my family where we’d all sit around the table, chatting about our days and sharing every bite of food.

This recipe truly is special for so many reasons.

First things first: It takes only 10 minutes to prepare, and you only need six ingredients to make it.

Plus, it’s super cheap! It’s also a great recipe to share with friends—just make sure you have enough bread on hand for dipping!

Now let’s talk about the nutritional information: One serving of this dish contains 693 calories. If you’re watching what you eat, you’ll definitely want to keep tabs on your portion sizes here.

20. 10-Minute Cream Cheese Pasta

This recipe takes 10 minutes to make, it’s super easy and cheap, costs about $1.20 per serving, and an extra drizzle of olive oil will seriously boost the flavor.

It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner when you don’t feel like cooking, but it also makes a great side dish.

Here’s a little tip: if you’re making this for two people, I recommend using two packages of cream cheese instead of one.

That way, there are enough noodles to go around—and it tastes even better that way!

21. Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta

Who doesn’t love a quick, easy meal that looks like you’re an executive chef?

I’ve got just the recipe for you: Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta.

Why do I love it so much?

• Ready in 15 minutes
• Family-friendly
• 4 servings
• 4.4 stars

This recipe is also great for newbies who have never cooked before and don’t really know what they’re doing.

I mean, it’s so easy that if someone came into my kitchen and asked me to make dinner, I would totally hand them this recipe.

And they’d be able to do it!

Just watch out: They’ll be mighty impressed with themselves after they pull this bad boy off.

22. 6-Ingredient Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone

I’ve been super obsessed lately with quick recipes that pack tons of flavor into a few ingredients.

I think it’s because I’ve been so busy lately that I just don’t have time to prep high-maintenance meals anymore.

One of my current go-to recipes is this one from tasteofhome.com. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it tastes delicious!

This recipe only has six ingredients (not counting salt and pepper), so it’s pretty accessible even if you don’t always have an elaborate spice rack or pantry on hand.

Plus, it comes in at only 637 calories for six servings, which makes for great leftovers for lunches and dinners the rest of the week.

You can also add a fresh salad or side dish to make it more filling!

One of my favorite parts about this dish is the mascarpone cheese (see also these mascarpone pasta recipes)—it adds such a rich flavor to the sausage without overpowering any of the other ingredients.

If you try this recipe out, let me know how you like it!

23. Penne with Kale and Onion

The best part about this recipe is that it’s only 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cook time, and it makes six servings—so if you make it today, you can enjoy it all week long.

This means less time spent cooking, and more time spent doing whatever else matters most to you.

Plus, kale has tons of fiber and vitamins A and C(source), which are good for your immune system and skin.

And while a cup has 189 calories, that’s pretty low compared to other recipes that are out there.

I personally like this recipe because it’s super delicious and high in protein, which keeps me full longer than some of my other favorite foods.

I also like to add a little Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor (just remember that this will increase the calorie count).

And if you want to make this dish even quicker next time around, chop up the vegetables ahead of time or buy them pre-chopped!

24. Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

I know life can get super hectic, and it’s nice to have a simple dinner that you can whip up in no time—but that’s also really good and filling.

That’s why I wanted to talk about this recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta from tasteofhome.com!

It’s not just quick—it’s also kid-friendly (and who doesn’t love that?), high in protein, and easy to reheat for days when you’re on the go!

You can use reduced-fat cheese or ground turkey to make this recipe even healthier if you want.

All in all, this is a great recipe for busy parents who want good food but don’t have time for complicated recipes.

25. 3-Ingredient Creamy Tomato Angel Hair Pasta

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it only takes 15 minutes.

It’s also so flavorful—you get a creamy, savory taste from the parmesan cheese and garlic, a bit of a kick from the red pepper flakes, and then this bright, fresh pop from the basil.

It’s just delicious.

I usually make it when I have some friends over.

They love it! I don’t think they mind that it’s so simple to make—it’s actually kind of fun to watch me make it in front of them while we’re all hanging out and talking.

I’d definitely recommend making this one next time you’re looking for a quick but tasty meal!

26. 3-Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo

This 3-Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo from marthastewart.com is quick and easy, takes just 30 minutes to make, and only has three ingredients!

So if you’re sick of complicated recipes with a bunch of ingredients that take hours to make, this one is PERFECT for you!

It’s super rich and delicious, but don’t worry—you’re going to need some bread to sop up all that sauce, so it’s not like you’re going to feel gross after you eat it.

But yes, it is THAT good.

My only recommendation is that if you don’t have a stand mixer, you should use an electric mixer instead of a whisk—it’ll cut down on the work and give you more time to enjoy this amazing dish!

27. 3-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe (Pasta With Cheese and Pepper)

Sometimes it’s hard to eat well when you’re always on the go, and all I keep finding are frozen dinners that taste like cardboard.

So if you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, I’ve got just the thing for you.

This recipe from epicurious.com takes only 30 minutes to make, and it’s so delicious you’ll wonder how you went so long without it.

The secret to this classic dish is the peppery bite, but don’t worry—you don’t have to be an expert chef or even have much in your spice cabinet.

This simple meal is so satisfyingly flavorful that it’s hard not to love it!

Try it tonight for an easy dinner upgrade, or save it for your next date night.

28. Parmesan Fettuccine

If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe, then look no further!

This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you’re tight on time.

With just four ingredients, this parmesan fettuccine is sure to please the entire family.

In the mood for something savory?

It’s ready in just 20 minutes.

And with a whopping 359 calories per serving, it’s both tasty and filling!

This dish is such a simple side dish that goes well with almost any meal.

Just try it out and I guarantee you’ll be hooked.

29. One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

This one is super quick and easy.

You can get it done in 30 minutes, and it’s loaded with ground beef and lots of shredded cheese.

You can add toppings if you want—I like to add chopped tomatoes and sliced black olives—and it’s sure to please the entire family.

I hope you give this a try!

30. Easy Stuffed Shells

Looking for a quick and easy pasta recipe with few ingredients?

Then you seriously have to try this one!

When I’m very hungry, but want to make something that’s healthy and easy to eat, I often turn to this stuffed shells recipe.

It’s got the cheesy goodness of lasagna, but it’s so much easier to assemble than traditional lasagna.

This recipe is also a great way to get the kids involved in cooking, because they can help you pick out the shells and stuff them with the cheese mixture! (And you can always make the cheese mixture ahead of time so that it’s ready when they are.)

This recipe from tasteofhome.com takes about 1 hour to make and yields 12 servings—which means it’s perfect for serving a crowd or for having leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.

It comes in at around 350 calories per serving, so if you’re counting calories, this is a great option.

31. Tortellini Carbonara

This tasty recipe from TasteofHome is ready in around 20 minutes, makes 4 tasty servings, is absolutely heavenly, has 527 calories per 1 cup, and only has 5 ingredients.

Seriously.

I like to serve this with a green salad for an extra hit of nutrients—or at least as a way to pretend I’m being healthy when I’m really just shoveling bacon into my face. Mmmmm

32. Favorite Lasagna Roll-Ups

Here’s a recipe that I think you’ll love, and it’s so good.

Here’s why:

• It’s ready in around 50 minutes, including prep time.
• It makes 10 servings, all of which are delicious.
• It’s a fresh take on an old classic—everyone loves lasagna, but these rolled up noodles are a great twist.
• It uses only a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
• Only 1 roll-up has 372 calories! So you can enjoy it without the guilt.

I like to serve this with some garlic bread and sautéed zucchini on the side, but you could easily go without the bread if you’d like.

33. Garlic-Buttered Pasta

This Garlic-Buttered Pasta recipe from tasteofhome.com has just five ingredients plus salt and pepper, so it’s super easy to throw together—and it’s ready in around 20 minutes.

It makes 4 servings, which is the perfect amount for a weeknight meal or lunch after a long day at work.

And the parmesan cheese in this dish makes it A-MAZING.

It’s also got less than 450 calories per serving, so you can feel good about going back for seconds!

34. 3-Ingredient One Pot Pasta

I know you’re looking for quick and easy pasta recipes with few ingredients, and I personally think that this is another winner.

I love this recipe because it’s ready in just about 45 minutes, makes 4 delicious servings, requires very little effort (it’s all cooked together in one pot), and it’s a no-fuss meal.

It’s also 218 calories per serving, which is pretty good if you’re eating it as a meal on its own (and not just a snack!).

If you’re looking for something even more low-calorie than that, you can try using whole wheat pasta instead of regular white pasta, or spiralizing the zucchini instead of cutting it into cubes.

You could also use ground turkey and whole wheat pasta to make it even healthier.

35. Pressure-Cooker Smoked Salmon Pasta

If you like pressure cooker recipes, then check out these 9 Cuisinart Pressure Cooker Recipes.

This recipe is ready in just about 20 minutes and makes 6 servings.

You can even halve it if you’re cooking for fewer people.

Oh, and feel free to play with it! I like to add dill and lemon slices but it’s up to you. Taste the finished product before serving and you will be good to go.

Don’t forget the chicken broth! If you have leftover smoked salmon from a gathering or dinner party, this recipe is a great way to use it up.

This dish is so delicious and rich, you won’t believe how simple it was to make.

It’s also around 350 calories per serving, making it a great lunch choice if you’re looking for something filling.

36. Super Easy Cacio e Pepe Pasta

This is a super simple recipe from the Spruce Eats called Super Easy Cacio e Pepe Pasta, and it’s ready in about 15 minutes.

It makes four servings, so you can make a good amount of food for not a lot of work.

It uses tonnarelli pasta if you can find it (if not, try bucatini in your recipe) and is staggeringly quick to put together.

Of course that means there’s not a lot you can do to customize it to suit your tastes, but it is what it is: an awesome recipe that’s low-calorie but still filling.

I like to serve this with a salad of arugula, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and black pepper.

If you want to make it vegetarian or vegan, just replace the cheese with a nutritional yeast substitute and leave out the butter at the end—it will still taste great!

37. 3-Ingredient Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This dish is traditional Italian—but it’s SO easy and quick (just 20 minutes!).

It’s kid-friendly, too—and it only has three ingredients!

You can’t get much easier than that! This recipe serves four people at 582 calories each.

If you’re looking for more of a kick, I’d suggest adding some crushed red pepper flakes or even swapping out the spaghetti for angel hair pasta.

And if you want to add some extra protein, you can top it with some breaded chicken breast or Italian sausage.

Tips for Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes with Few Ingredients

Cooking with quick and easy pasta recipes with just a few ingredients is a great way to get dinner on the table fast.

However, it’s important to remember a few key things to make sure your meal is as delicious as possible:

1. First, try not to mix more than one kind of sauce at a time. If you put tomato sauce and pesto in the same dish, you’re going to have an odd-tasting mess. So if you’re using tomato sauce and pesto, limit each recipe to just one of those sauces.
2. Second, make sure you don’t overdo it with the garlic or onion powder. These spices are great for adding flavor to a dish, but too much can be overpowering. If you think it tastes too strong, taste it again after letting it sit for about a minute—chances are most of the extra flavor will dissipate after that brief period of time.
3. Finally, remember that pasta is very filling! Some people don’t realize that when they’re cooking up their favorite quick and easy pasta recipes with just a few ingredients—and end up eating way too much food!