30 Pasta Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes
Updated: May 18, 2016
Make weeknight meals easy with pasta recipes the entire family will love. And as a bonus, these dinners are each ready in 30 minutes or less!
Beef & Spinach Lo Mein
If you like a good stir-fry, this dish will definitely satisfy. I discovered the recipe at an international luncheon, and it’s now a favourite go-to meal. -Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio
Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken
This rich, creamy pasta dish is a snap to throw together for a weeknight meal but special enough for company. You can substitute another cheese for the Gorgonzola if you like. -George Schroeder, Port Murray, New Jersey
Family-Favourite Cheeseburger Pasta
I created this recipe to satisfy a cheeseburger craving. What a delicious, healthy classic! -Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
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Barbecue Pork and Penne Skillet
I’m the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious and quick meals like this are perfect for us to enjoy together after errands, school activities and soccer practice are over. -Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
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Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi looks like you fussed, but it’s a snap to prepare. Lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp, and bread crumbs add a pleasing crunch. Served over pasta, this main dish is pretty enough for company. -Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska
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Hearty Penne Beef
This is comfort food at its finest! The best of everything is found here-it’s tasty, easy and a great way to sneak some spinach in for extra nutrition. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mushroom Pasta Carbonara
I absolutely love this creamy and cheesy recipe. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal. -Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
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Gnocchi with White Beans
Here’s one of those no-fuss recipes you can toss together and cook in one skillet. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it’s also good with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you need to please meat-lovers. -Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
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Bacon & Tomato Spaghetti
Our summer-perfect pasta features baby spinach, cherry tomatoes and crisp bacon tossed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Tortellini with Tomato-Cream Sauce
Tortellini with Tomato-Cream Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Put frozen food and pantry staples to mouthwatering use in this warm and satisfying meatless meal. -Barbra Stanger, West Jordan, Utah
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Spicy Chili Mac
Family and friends love this recipe. I use three power foods: tomatoes, black beans and olive oil, plus whole wheat pasta. It’s comfort food to feel good about! -Krissy Black, Mt. Vernon, Ohio
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Greek Chicken Pasta
This hearty main dish has great Mediterranean flavor. I left out the olives, and my family still loved it. -Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
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Herbed Artichoke Cheese Tortellini
This flavor-packed meatless recipe features tomatoes, black olives and artichoke hearts tossed with tender cheese tortellini. -Karen Anzelc, Peoria, Arizona
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Pasta & Broccoli Sausage Simmer
I created this meal when trying to use up a large head of broccoli. My family requests it at least once a week, which is handy because we always have the ingredients. -Lisa Montgomery, Elmira, Ontario
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Ravioli Skillet
Dress up store-bought ravioli and make it really special-prosciutto and mozzarella help to do the trick. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Shrimp Tortellini Pasta Toss
No matter how you toss it up, shrimp and thyme play nicely with any spring-fresh vegetable. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Favourite Skillet Lasagna
Whole wheat noodles and zucchini pump up nutrition in this delicious, family-friendly dinner. Topped with dollops of ricotta cheese, it has an extra touch of decadence. No one will believe this one’s lighter. -Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah
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Mediterranean Pork and Orzo
On a really busy day, this meal-in-a-bowl is one of my top picks. It’s quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. -Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
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BLT Skillet
This weeknight meal is fast and reminiscent of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet extra flavour and texture. -Edrie O’Brien, Denver, Colorado
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Pepperoni Penne Carbonara
Sun-dried tomatoes and turkey pepperoni lend fantastic flavour to this creamy, hearty pasta dish. It’s a great change of pace from everyday spaghetti. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Jiffy Ground Pork Skillet
Some people call it dinner hour, but many of us call it rush hour. Slow down the pace with this super-quick mouthwatering meal. The only thing you’ll have left over is time to share with your family at the table. -Brigitte Schaller, Flemington, Missouri
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Shrimp ‘n’ Noodle Bowls
This is a great quick meal that can be made with pick-up ingredients from the grocery store. Cooked shrimp and bagged slaw reduce the time and work required to get it on the table. -Mary Bergfeld of Eugene, Oregon
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Mexican-Style Ravioli
This easy, hearty pasta dish uses up leftover diced tomatoes, black beans, and spinach so there’s no waste. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pretty Penne Ham Skillet
I’m a busy nurse, so fast meals are a must. This pasta is a tasty change of pace from potato-ham casseroles. -Kathy Stephan, West Seneca, New York
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Fresh Corn Fettuccine
I really love corn so it wasn’t much of a leap to figure out that with the help of a food processor, I could turn fresh corn kernels into a last of the season sweet sauce that’s ideal over pasta. -Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Italian Turkey Skillet
It’s a challenge to find imaginative ways to use leftovers, especially for turkey after Thanksgiving. Here’s a favourite of mine that you can easily make ahead for another dinner option. Prepare the recipe as directed, then transfer to a casserole dish and freeze up to three months. -Patricia Kile, Nokomis, Florida
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Zippy Zucchini Pasta
A colourful combination of zucchini and zippy canned tomatoes is delicious over quick-cooking angel hair pasta. We like the extra zest from crushed red pepper flakes. -Kathleen Timberlake, Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Light Linguine Carbonara
We’re a busy family. When we need to rush off to an evening sporting event or meeting, I prepare this pasta toss along with breadsticks or garlic toast for a quick light dinner.-Mary Jo Miller, Mansfield, Ohio
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Chicken and Sausage Penne
Gather the clan for a comfy-cozy dinner filled with two types of meat and a garlic-cream sauce. It’s versatile, too. Sub in whatever cream soup and cheese you have on hand. -Sandra Perrin, Youngsville, Louisiana
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Broccoli Veggie Pasta Primavera
Chock-full of veggies, this simple, colorful pasta makes a filling dinner. In smaller servings, it works equally well as a side dish. -Stephanie Marchese, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
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This article originally appeared on Taste of Home.
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