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Photo: Jacob Fox
Gather everyone around the dinner table for one of these healthy family meals. These simple pasta dishes have something for everyone, whether it’s a meaty bolognese with penne, a flavorful pan of lasagna or a bowl of classic mac and cheese. Plus, these dinners serve at least four, so everyone can get their fill. Recipes like our One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta and Skillet Mac & Cheese with Zucchini & Pimiento are so tasty, you’ll be scraping your plate.
01of 33American GoulashView RecipeAmerican goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
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American Goulash
View Recipe
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
02of 33Skillet Ravioli LasagnaView RecipeThis easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food–no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
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Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food–no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
03of 33One-Pan Chicken Parmesan PastaView RecipeThis chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Finish the dish under the broiler to achieve a delicious melted cheese crust.
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One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta
This chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Finish the dish under the broiler to achieve a delicious melted cheese crust.
04of 33Creamy Lemon Pasta with ShrimpView RecipeYogurt makes a fine substitute for cream in the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. Just warm the yogurt (do not boil) and add some pasta-cooking water to thin it out. Lemon and fresh basil brighten up the whole-wheat pasta and complement the shrimp in this quick dinner recipe.
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Creamy Lemon Pasta with Shrimp
Yogurt makes a fine substitute for cream in the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. Just warm the yogurt (do not boil) and add some pasta-cooking water to thin it out. Lemon and fresh basil brighten up the whole-wheat pasta and complement the shrimp in this quick dinner recipe.
05of 33White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato GnocchiView RecipeJacob FoxSun-dried tomatoes are the star of this recipe— providing texture and umami. Combined with the spinach, they make this dish a great source of vitamins C and K.
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White Bean & Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi
Jacob Fox
Sun-dried tomatoes are the star of this recipe— providing texture and umami. Combined with the spinach, they make this dish a great source of vitamins C and K.
06of 33One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli PastaView RecipeJennifer 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.
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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.
07of 33One-Pot Lemon Asparagus Pasta with ShrimpView RecipeBrie PassanoThis quick one-pot shrimp and pasta dinner is cooked with asparagus in a lemony sauce. Feta cheese sprinkled over the top adds another savory layer, but feel free to skip it and add additional fresh herbs and a lemon slice instead.
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One-Pot Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Shrimp
Brie Passano
This quick one-pot shrimp and pasta dinner is cooked with asparagus in a lemony sauce. Feta cheese sprinkled over the top adds another savory layer, but feel free to skip it and add additional fresh herbs and a lemon slice instead.
08of 33Skillet Mac & Cheese with Zucchini & PimientoView RecipeJacob FoxSweet and mild pimiento peppers add a little zest to this skillet mac and cheese, while zucchini boosts the veggie count. Here we boil the pasta a little less than usual, until just shy of al dente, so it doesn’t overcook in the oven.
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Skillet Mac & Cheese with Zucchini & Pimiento
Sweet and mild pimiento peppers add a little zest to this skillet mac and cheese, while zucchini boosts the veggie count. Here we boil the pasta a little less than usual, until just shy of al dente, so it doesn’t overcook in the oven.
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Tuna Casserole with Peas
Leslie Grow |Tuna Casserole with Peas
10of 33Chicken Tinga Baked PastaView RecipeJacob FoxThis spicy baked pasta features leftover chicken tinga, a dish hailing from Puebla, Mexico. The rich tomato-chipotle sauce adds heat and creaminess to the dish.
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Chicken Tinga Baked Pasta
This spicy baked pasta features leftover chicken tinga, a dish hailing from Puebla, Mexico. The rich tomato-chipotle sauce adds heat and creaminess to the dish.
11of 33One-Pot Lemon-Broccoli Pasta with ParmesanView RecipeThis hearty pasta dish with bright, fresh flavor is ideal for busy weeknights. The Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and notes of umami and you get added texture from the slight crunch of broccoli and whole-wheat noodles. Add some shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp or crispy chickpeas to punch up the protein.
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One-Pot Lemon-Broccoli Pasta with Parmesan
This hearty pasta dish with bright, fresh flavor is ideal for busy weeknights. The Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and notes of umami and you get added texture from the slight crunch of broccoli and whole-wheat noodles. Add some shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp or crispy chickpeas to punch up the protein.
12of 33Skillet Broccoli-Cheddar Mac & CheeseView RecipeJoy HowardBroccoli—just like pasta—makes a tasty pairing with sharp Cheddar. Here, we’ve combined all three ingredients in a homey casserole that’s baked in a cast-iron skillet. Replacing some of the pasta in the dish with vegetables makes it more nutritious and helps you cut down on carbs.
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Skillet Broccoli-Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Joy Howard
Broccoli—just like pasta—makes a tasty pairing with sharp Cheddar. Here, we’ve combined all three ingredients in a homey casserole that’s baked in a cast-iron skillet. Replacing some of the pasta in the dish with vegetables makes it more nutritious and helps you cut down on carbs.
13of 33Creamy Cacio e Pepe OrzoView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis"Cacio e pepe" is Italian for “cheese and pepper.” So, you know what you’re getting plenty of here. Creamy buttermilk provides a zing, and if you’ve never had a cacio e pepe-style dish before, this orzo rendition is a great introduction. (Warning: It may remind you of macaroni and cheese!)
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Creamy Cacio e Pepe Orzo
Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis
“Cacio e pepe” is Italian for “cheese and pepper.” So, you know what you’re getting plenty of here. Creamy buttermilk provides a zing, and if you’ve never had a cacio e pepe-style dish before, this orzo rendition is a great introduction. (Warning: It may remind you of macaroni and cheese!)
14of 33One-Skillet PastitsioView RecipePastitsio is a classic Greek baked pasta dish made with ground beef and bechamel. Our version has all the flavors and the comforting feel of the classic, but is made in one skillet (less cleanup!) and is healthier for you, using whole-grain pasta, lean meat and low-fat dairy.
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One-Skillet Pastitsio
Pastitsio is a classic Greek baked pasta dish made with ground beef and bechamel. Our version has all the flavors and the comforting feel of the classic, but is made in one skillet (less cleanup!) and is healthier for you, using whole-grain pasta, lean meat and low-fat dairy.
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Crispy Baked Ravioli with Red Pepper & Mushroom Bolognese
16of 33Cacio e PepeView RecipeRyan LiebeWhen making this elemental Roman pasta, most people focus on the cheese (cacio), with purists arguing for youngish pecorino Romano. But the peppercorns (pepe) are also essential to this dish, so it’s a great time to try a single-origin variety. Boiling down some reserved pasta-cooking water before mixing with the al dente spaghetti concentrates the starch for an even more luscious sauce. Look for a hard grating cheese made without rennet if you want to keep it truly vegetarian.
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Cacio e Pepe
Ryan Liebe
When making this elemental Roman pasta, most people focus on the cheese (cacio), with purists arguing for youngish pecorino Romano. But the peppercorns (pepe) are also essential to this dish, so it’s a great time to try a single-origin variety. Boiling down some reserved pasta-cooking water before mixing with the al dente spaghetti concentrates the starch for an even more luscious sauce. Look for a hard grating cheese made without rennet if you want to keep it truly vegetarian.
17of 33Baked Tomato & Feta PastaView RecipeJason DonnellyTomatoes and briny feta cheese form the base of the sauce that coats the pasta in this easy one-pan meal. Enjoy on its own as a vegetarian dinner or top with grilled chicken for some extra protein.
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Baked Tomato & Feta Pasta
Jason Donnelly
Tomatoes and briny feta cheese form the base of the sauce that coats the pasta in this easy one-pan meal. Enjoy on its own as a vegetarian dinner or top with grilled chicken for some extra protein.
18of 33Monticello’s MacaroniView RecipeJerrelle GuyThis is the macaroni and cheese recipe that would have been made in the kitchens at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Jefferson first became familiar the creamy, cheesy baked dish of macaroni from his time in Paris and it was enslaved cooks, James Hemings, Peter Hemings, Edith Hern Fossett and Frances Gillette Hern, who prepared this favorite dish over the years. The popularization of this iconic American dish can be traced to Black cooks, like Peter Fossett (the freed son of Edith Hern Fossett), Rufus Estes and Freda De Knight, who helped spread the dish throughout the United States. Learn more aboutMacaroni and Cheese at Monticello.
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Monticello’s Macaroni
Jerrelle Guy
This is the macaroni and cheese recipe that would have been made in the kitchens at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Jefferson first became familiar the creamy, cheesy baked dish of macaroni from his time in Paris and it was enslaved cooks, James Hemings, Peter Hemings, Edith Hern Fossett and Frances Gillette Hern, who prepared this favorite dish over the years. The popularization of this iconic American dish can be traced to Black cooks, like Peter Fossett (the freed son of Edith Hern Fossett), Rufus Estes and Freda De Knight, who helped spread the dish throughout the United States. Learn more aboutMacaroni and Cheese at Monticello.
19of 33Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & ParmesanView RecipeThis one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it “Mom’s Skillet Pasta” and she called it “Devon’s Favorite Pasta.” Either way it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.
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Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
This one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it “Mom’s Skillet Pasta” and she called it “Devon’s Favorite Pasta.” Either way it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.
20of 33Sloppy Joe CasseroleView RecipeLike sloppy Joes? Then you’ll love this sloppy Joe casserole recipe. This kid-friendly dinner has the classic sloppy Joe flavors kids love, while parents will like all the veggies that are packed in to make it a healthy meal.
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Sloppy Joe Casserole
Like sloppy Joes? Then you’ll love this sloppy Joe casserole recipe. This kid-friendly dinner has the classic sloppy Joe flavors kids love, while parents will like all the veggies that are packed in to make it a healthy meal.
21of 33Easy LasagnaView RecipeThis classic beef lasagna recipe is easy to make and will be ready to eat in just over an hour.
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Easy Lasagna
This classic beef lasagna recipe is easy to make and will be ready to eat in just over an hour.
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Lemon Chicken Pasta
23of 33Ground Beef & Pasta SkilletView RecipeSneak extra vegetables into your child’s day (and yours too!) with this easy one-skillet pasta recipe. Finely chop mushrooms to resemble the texture of ground beef and stir them into a classic meat sauce for an extra-healthy twist on a dinnertime favorite.
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Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet
Sneak extra vegetables into your child’s day (and yours too!) with this easy one-skillet pasta recipe. Finely chop mushrooms to resemble the texture of ground beef and stir them into a classic meat sauce for an extra-healthy twist on a dinnertime favorite.
24of 33Quick Shrimp PuttanescaView RecipeBecause refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets a makeover with shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings (and the fiber!). If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts.
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Quick Shrimp Puttanesca
Because refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets a makeover with shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings (and the fiber!). If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts.
25of 33One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex PastaView RecipeThis comforting one-pot pasta dish has a Southwestern kick. Chili powder and pico de gallo flavor the dish, while melted Mexican cheese adds a creamy finish. Top it with your favorite fixings like scallions, cilantro and sour cream, and serve it alongside a crisp green salad for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.
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One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta
This comforting one-pot pasta dish has a Southwestern kick. Chili powder and pico de gallo flavor the dish, while melted Mexican cheese adds a creamy finish. Top it with your favorite fixings like scallions, cilantro and sour cream, and serve it alongside a crisp green salad for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.
26of 33One-Pot Chicken AlfredoView RecipeThis better-for-you creamy, cheesy chicken fettuccine Alfredo isn’t all that fancy, but it’s incredibly comforting. You’ll taste a nice pop of pepper and nutty notes from the whole-wheat pasta. Best part about this recipe? It’s a one-pot meal, which means fewer dishes for you!
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One-Pot Chicken Alfredo
This better-for-you creamy, cheesy chicken fettuccine Alfredo isn’t all that fancy, but it’s incredibly comforting. You’ll taste a nice pop of pepper and nutty notes from the whole-wheat pasta. Best part about this recipe? It’s a one-pot meal, which means fewer dishes for you!
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Chicken Parmesan Casserole
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Chicken Sausage & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
Jamie Vespa
29of 33Classic Mac & CheeseView RecipeNo sneaky ingredients here, just delicious comfort food. You can enjoy this super-cheesy mac and cheese in the same time it takes to cook the boxed version. Whole-wheat noodles add fiber, while sharp Cheddar adds richness. A hefty twist of black pepper balances the cheese’s salty tang.
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Classic Mac & Cheese
No sneaky ingredients here, just delicious comfort food. You can enjoy this super-cheesy mac and cheese in the same time it takes to cook the boxed version. Whole-wheat noodles add fiber, while sharp Cheddar adds richness. A hefty twist of black pepper balances the cheese’s salty tang.
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Rigatoni Amatriciana
31of 33Angel Hair Pasta with ShrimpView RecipeFred HardyAngel hair pasta is paired with shrimp and a savory sauce with garlic, white wine and lemon. This simple dish is light, quick and easy to whip up on a busy weeknight.
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Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
Fred Hardy
Angel hair pasta is paired with shrimp and a savory sauce with garlic, white wine and lemon. This simple dish is light, quick and easy to whip up on a busy weeknight.
32of 33Slow-Cooker Pork Sausage BologneseView RecipeHere’s the meaty, saucy pasta that we all crave. If you have any slow-cooker bolognese leftovers, freeze them and reheat on a cold night when you’re in need of a hot, comforting dish. Serve with a simple, crisp salad and crusty bread. For the prettiest appearance, sprinkle with whole fresh basil leaves instead of chopped oregano.
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Slow-Cooker Pork Sausage Bolognese
Here’s the meaty, saucy pasta that we all crave. If you have any slow-cooker bolognese leftovers, freeze them and reheat on a cold night when you’re in need of a hot, comforting dish. Serve with a simple, crisp salad and crusty bread. For the prettiest appearance, sprinkle with whole fresh basil leaves instead of chopped oregano.
33of 33Fresh Pasta with Quick Bolognese SauceView RecipeBolognese is not your average spaghetti sauce–it’s known for its richness that’s developed through a slow cooking process–but on a weeknight, it’s not practical. This version speeds up the classic Italian recipe for a quick and easy Bolognese sauce with Italian sausage to build flavors fast. The cooking time is about 35 minutes for this mind-blowing pasta sauce. If you don’t have Grana Padano cheese, Parmesan works just as well in a pinch.
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Fresh Pasta with Quick Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese is not your average spaghetti sauce–it’s known for its richness that’s developed through a slow cooking process–but on a weeknight, it’s not practical. This version speeds up the classic Italian recipe for a quick and easy Bolognese sauce with Italian sausage to build flavors fast. The cooking time is about 35 minutes for this mind-blowing pasta sauce. If you don’t have Grana Padano cheese, Parmesan works just as well in a pinch.
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