Close
Photo: Jamie Vespa

These quick and easy pasta dinners go from stovetop to table in just 20 minutes. Plus, these comforting dishes highlight seasonal ingredients like earthy mushrooms, hearty kale and vibrant spinach. Recipes like our Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta with Chicken and our Tofu, Mushroom & Bok Choy Soba Noodle Bowls not only bring the taste of the season to your plate but also provide the perfect solution for busy nights.
01of 17
Spaghetti with Creamy Lemon-Spinach Sauce: The Tastiest Way to Eat More Vegetables
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

View Recipe
02of 1715-Minute Spicy RamenPhotographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterThis spicy ramen will be on your table faster than the time it takes to get food delivered. We ditch the spice packet that comes with the soup mix in favor of our own savory broth that strikes the perfect balance between salty and sweet while keeping sodium in check. Crushed red pepper brings on the heat. Swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this quick spicy ramen vegetarian. If you have a little extra time, top it with cooked chicken, pork or tofu and a soft-boiled egg for a boost of protein.View Recipe
02of 17
15-Minute Spicy Ramen
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This spicy ramen will be on your table faster than the time it takes to get food delivered. We ditch the spice packet that comes with the soup mix in favor of our own savory broth that strikes the perfect balance between salty and sweet while keeping sodium in check. Crushed red pepper brings on the heat. Swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this quick spicy ramen vegetarian. If you have a little extra time, top it with cooked chicken, pork or tofu and a soft-boiled egg for a boost of protein.
03of 17Creamy Green Pea Pesto PastaPHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MELISSA GRAY, PROP STYLIST: SHELL ROYSTERMint and peas are a natural pairing in this creamy pasta dish. It works well as a vegetarian main dish or can be divided into smaller portions as a side dish. If you have pine nuts on hand, sprinkle them over the top for a little crunch. If you like your pesto to be totally smooth, process it a little longer, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Parmesan cheese grated fresh with a microplane grater will give you the best results.View Recipe
03of 17
Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta
PHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MELISSA GRAY, PROP STYLIST: SHELL ROYSTER

Mint and peas are a natural pairing in this creamy pasta dish. It works well as a vegetarian main dish or can be divided into smaller portions as a side dish. If you have pine nuts on hand, sprinkle them over the top for a little crunch. If you like your pesto to be totally smooth, process it a little longer, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Parmesan cheese grated fresh with a microplane grater will give you the best results.
04of 17One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli PastaJennifer CauseyThis creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.View Recipe
04of 17
One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta
Jennifer Causey

This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.
05of 17Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta with ChickenJamie VespaIf you love warm spinach and artichoke dip, then you’ll love that we turned this classic dip into a creamy pasta dish with chicken. And here’s what’s almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.View Recipe
05of 17
Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta with Chicken
Jamie Vespa
If you love warm spinach and artichoke dip, then you’ll love that we turned this classic dip into a creamy pasta dish with chicken. And here’s what’s almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
06of 175-Ingredient Peanutty Soba NoodlesPHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MELISSA GRAY, PROP STYLIST: SHELL ROYSTERNutty soba noodles team up with peanut butter in this easy vegetarian pasta dish. Chile-garlic sauce adds nice heat, while lime juice and zest brighten the flavor. Enjoy this quick dish warm, or serve it chilled for an easy lunch. We like the firm texture and flavor of soba noodles, but regular whole-wheat pasta will work well too. For a boost of protein, serve with shredded chicken or shrimp or tofu.View Recipe
06of 17
5-Ingredient Peanutty Soba Noodles

Nutty soba noodles team up with peanut butter in this easy vegetarian pasta dish. Chile-garlic sauce adds nice heat, while lime juice and zest brighten the flavor. Enjoy this quick dish warm, or serve it chilled for an easy lunch. We like the firm texture and flavor of soba noodles, but regular whole-wheat pasta will work well too. For a boost of protein, serve with shredded chicken or shrimp or tofu.
07of 17Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream SaucePhotography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Greg LunaTo achieve flavor quickly in this sun-dried tomato pasta recipe, we use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes to create the base of the cream sauce. Meanwhile, the residual heat of the pasta wilts the spinach in record time for a fast weeknight dinner.View Recipe
07of 17
Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Greg Luna

To achieve flavor quickly in this sun-dried tomato pasta recipe, we use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes to create the base of the cream sauce. Meanwhile, the residual heat of the pasta wilts the spinach in record time for a fast weeknight dinner.
08of 17Tofu, Mushroom & Bok Choy Soba Noodle BowlsGreg DuPreeSoba noodles are made with whole-grain buckwheat, upping the fiber count in these brothy bowls and adding nutty flavor. Thick and chewy udon noodles make a good alternative.View Recipe
08of 17
Tofu, Mushroom & Bok Choy Soba Noodle Bowls
Greg DuPree

Soba noodles are made with whole-grain buckwheat, upping the fiber count in these brothy bowls and adding nutty flavor. Thick and chewy udon noodles make a good alternative.
09of 17
Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach & Feta Penne Pasta

10of 17Green Goddess Ricotta PastaPhotographer: Sara Baurley, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh HoggleWe take the flavors of green goddess dressing—lemon, anchovy and herbs—and use them as the base for a colorful, bright pasta sauce. We like a mix of basil, chives, parsley and tarragon, but you can mix herbs depending on what you have on hand. Adding ricotta to the sauce creates a luscious, velvety texture, while the acidity from the lemon juice balances out the creaminess. We use shells, which hold the pools of sauce well, but you could easily swap in another noodle if you prefer. To amp up the veggies even more, try adding asparagus or peas to the dish.View Recipe
10of 17
Green Goddess Ricotta Pasta
Photographer: Sara Baurley, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

We take the flavors of green goddess dressing—lemon, anchovy and herbs—and use them as the base for a colorful, bright pasta sauce. We like a mix of basil, chives, parsley and tarragon, but you can mix herbs depending on what you have on hand. Adding ricotta to the sauce creates a luscious, velvety texture, while the acidity from the lemon juice balances out the creaminess. We use shells, which hold the pools of sauce well, but you could easily swap in another noodle if you prefer. To amp up the veggies even more, try adding asparagus or peas to the dish.
11of 1720-Minute Pasta al LimonePhotographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel GrecoThis tart and lucious pasta al limone recipe is ready in 20 minutes. The origins of this recipe lie in Sorrento, Italy, famous for its large lemons with medium-thick, bumpy rind packed with aromatic oil and pulp with a balanced sugar content that verges on sweet. They are the lemons that brought the world limoncello and this zesty pasta dish. Luckily, even if you don’t have Sorrento lemons, you can still make it. For the best results, look for lemons that are large and ripe but firm, with a rough rind. These thicker-skinned lemons usually produce more zest.View Recipe
11of 17
20-Minute Pasta al Limone
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

This tart and lucious pasta al limone recipe is ready in 20 minutes. The origins of this recipe lie in Sorrento, Italy, famous for its large lemons with medium-thick, bumpy rind packed with aromatic oil and pulp with a balanced sugar content that verges on sweet. They are the lemons that brought the world limoncello and this zesty pasta dish. Luckily, even if you don’t have Sorrento lemons, you can still make it. For the best results, look for lemons that are large and ripe but firm, with a rough rind. These thicker-skinned lemons usually produce more zest.
12of 17Creamy Cajun Shrimp PastaThis creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish packs plenty of veggies to lighten up the creamy sauce. The Cajun spice gives this dish a little kick, and the sour cream adds a nice tang to the cream sauce that coats the shrimp.View Recipe
12of 17
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

This creamy Cajun shrimp pasta dish packs plenty of veggies to lighten up the creamy sauce. The Cajun spice gives this dish a little kick, and the sour cream adds a nice tang to the cream sauce that coats the shrimp.
13of 17
3-Ingredient Tortellini with Sausage & Kale

Precooked chicken sausage is a handy shortcut ingredient because it heats up quickly and adds lots of flavor without a lot of fuss. A roasted garlic variety pairs perfectly with cheese tortellini and sautéed leafy greens.
14of 17Creamy Arugula Pesto Pasta with Peas & TomatoesCharlotte & Johnny AutryHere, we jazz up store-bought pesto with peppery arugula and tangy goat cheese to make a creamy pasta sauce.View Recipe
14of 17
Creamy Arugula Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes
Charlotte & Johnny Autry

Here, we jazz up store-bought pesto with peppery arugula and tangy goat cheese to make a creamy pasta sauce.
15of 17Fettuccine with Shiitake Mushrooms & BasilEatingWell reader Sidra Goldman of Washington, D.C., contributed this fresh-tasting whole-wheat pasta recipe. Lemon zest accents the basil beautifully.View Recipe
15of 17
Fettuccine with Shiitake Mushrooms & Basil

EatingWell reader Sidra Goldman of Washington, D.C., contributed this fresh-tasting whole-wheat pasta recipe. Lemon zest accents the basil beautifully.
16of 17Scallop Scampi with PastaVictor ProtasioThis scallop scampi with pasta is a delicious twist on the classic shrimp dish. Swap in whole-wheat angel hair pasta for a boost of fiber.View Recipe
16of 17
Scallop Scampi with Pasta
Victor Protasio

This scallop scampi with pasta is a delicious twist on the classic shrimp dish. Swap in whole-wheat angel hair pasta for a boost of fiber.
17of 17Chicken CarbonaraPhotographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph WanekThis chicken carbonara has the classic all-yolk sauce, which yields a rich and creamy texture. For some carbonara recipes the residual heat and starch from the pasta are enough to thicken the yolks, but we prefer the double-boiler method to gently cook the egg yolks to a custard-like texture without the risk of overcooking them to a scramble.View Recipe
17of 17
Chicken Carbonara
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

This chicken carbonara has the classic all-yolk sauce, which yields a rich and creamy texture. For some carbonara recipes the residual heat and starch from the pasta are enough to thicken the yolks, but we prefer the double-boiler method to gently cook the egg yolks to a custard-like texture without the risk of overcooking them to a scramble.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!