What Helped This Week Were 29 No-Stress Pasta Recipes

There are weeks when time moves faster than your motivation to make dinner. Having 29 simple pasta options ready to go means you can still eat like an adult without sacrificing your evening plans of doing absolutely nothing. They’re quick, unfussy, and don’t require your full attention, which is perfect when your brain is already halfway to bedtime.

A bowl of creamy chicken pasta garnished with herbs, served with a side of rice and a small bowl of fresh parsley.
Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Close-up of a serving of cheesy baked spaghetti with meat sauce, topped with fresh parsley, being lifted from a dish.
Million Dollar Spaghetti. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Busy weekdays made meal time easy when I served a dish that felt special but didn’t take long. Million Dollar Spaghetti blended creamy layers with sauce, so everyone wanted another scoop at the table. It packed up well for lunch the next day. No one minded having leftovers more than once a week.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Baked Ziti

A spoon scoops baked ziti pasta covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce from a casserole dish.
Baked Ziti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Some nights, you just need a tray that can feed everyone and keep things simple. Baked Ziti pulls together fast and comes out of the oven ready to slice for big servings. It doesn’t fall apart and holds flavor even after hours in the fridge. Nobody ever turns down a second piece.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti

Spicy Lasagna Soup

Close-up of a plate of pasta topped with a red tomato-based sauce, grated cheese, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Spicy Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Switching things up with soup helped avoid repeating the same dinners this week. Spicy Lasagna Soup took classic layers and made them spoon-friendly for a change. Bowls emptied quickly, and cleanup felt easier than with a casserole. It became an unexpected favorite around here.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Lasagna Soup

Three Cheese Manicotti

A plate of stuffed cannelloni topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil.
Three Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Pasta packed with cheese brought plenty of comfort when things got busy. Three Cheese Manicotti had soft rolls filled and held together for neat servings. Everyone liked how simple it felt to dish out seconds. There was never a messy plate left behind.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Adding chicken to noodles kept meals filling without extra work. Marry Me Chicken Soup blended a smooth broth with bites that pleased everyone at dinner. It made enough for two days, so lunch was covered too. Kids even asked for more after the first bowl.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

Pizza Casserole

A close-up of a baked pasta dish with melted cheese, pepperoni slices, and herbs, showing a serving being lifted, revealing gooey cheese strands.
Pizza Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Pasta with familiar pizza flavors gave everyone something new this week. Pizza Casserole stayed hot and came together fast, making both kids and grown-ups happy. Even picky eaters grabbed a slice. The tray emptied faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole

Cheese Ravioli

A white plate of ravioli topped with black pepper, grated cheese, and sage leaves.
Cheese Ravioli. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Simple filled pasta gave us quick meals without fuss. Cheese Ravioli boiled up fast and tasted good with almost any sauce on top. The leftovers stayed soft for lunch at work. No one asked for a more complicated meal that night.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Ravioli

Hamburger Casserole

A close-up of a spoon lifting a portion of hamburger casserole, showcasing baked macaroni and cheese layered with ground meat and topped with lettuce and creamy sauce.
Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Family dinners worked better when the recipe could fill many plates at once. Hamburger Casserole packed hearty bites together and didn’t dry out sitting on the counter. All it took was a quick scoop for seconds. It became a go-to for busy weeks.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole

Marry Me Tortellini

A bowl of creamy tortellini pasta with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and a basil garnish.
Marry Me Tortellini. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Adding stuffed noodles with creamy sauce made dinner straight from the fridge possible. Marry Me Tortellini fit for rushed nights and pulled everyone to the table. There were no leftovers after everyone got a bowl. It made even lunch feel special.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tortellini

Ravioli Casserole

Close-up of a baked dish with ravioli, mushrooms, asparagus, and melted cheese on top.
Ravioli Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Stuffed pasta with casserole-style made serving a breeze. Ravioli Casserole baked up with layers that held together and stacked well for leftovers. No one minded extra helpings. Dinner felt less stressful with this on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Aglio e Olio

Close-up of fettuccine pasta tossed with grated cheese, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes being lifted with a fork.
Aglio e Olio. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Quick pasta made getting food on the table simple without feeling plain. Aglio e Olio included enough garlic flavor for everyone to finish their plates. Cleanup was easy because there weren’t many dishes. It was good enough for both lunch and dinner.
Get the Recipe: Aglio e Olio

Marry Me Chicken Casserole

A casserole dish filled with baked pasta topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

One tray held everything we needed for a filling meal in little time. Marry Me Chicken Casserole puts together chicken, noodles, and sauce all in one scoop. It reheated well without drying out. The meal was gone in no time.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Casserole

Penne Alla Vodka

Two bowls of penne alla vodka, with Parmesan by the side.
Penne Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy sauce with soft pasta made everyone look forward to dinner again. Penne Alla Vodka stuck to the noodles, so there was no waste or mess on the plate. Seconds went fast after serving the first round. It worked even when made ahead.
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

A skillet with creamy chicken pasta featuring spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated cheese, stirred with a wooden spoon.
Marry Me Chicken Orzo. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Short pasta with chicken was the answer for a busy evening. Marry Me Chicken Orzo cooked quickly and filled bowls with smooth bites that kids liked. No one went to bed hungry. Lunches were lined up for the next day just by packing extras.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Gnocchi

A bowl of gnocchi topped with grated cheese, fresh basil, and black pepper.
Gnocchi. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Thick soft pasta kept everyone full with just a few bites. Gnocchi made meals feel rich but didn’t drag out cooking time. It worked with sauces or just simple cheese. Most plates were clean long before dinner finished.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi

Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

Close-up of a pasta dish with corn, bacon, and herbs, seasoned with a creamy yellow sauce.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Extra comfort came from adding corn to pasta. Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta brought a new twist to dinnertime and was well for leftovers the next day. Bowls filled up quickly and no one skipped seconds. Meal planning felt easy all week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

Macaroni Salad

A spoon lifting a serving of creamy macaroni salad with diced red onion and fresh herbs, with pepper sprinkled on top.
Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Chilled pasta made a good lunch for busy days that needed fast options. Macaroni Salad packed into boxes and didn’t get soggy after sitting overnight. Kids liked picking their own scoops at lunch. There were always requests for more.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Elevated Ramen Noodles

A bowl of ramen with soft-boiled egg, vegetables, and sesame seeds.
Elevated Ramen Noodles. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Changing basic noodles gave everyone something new to talk about at dinner. Elevated Ramen Noodles took less time than other meals and felt more exciting. Bowls came back for refills. No leftovers made cleanup a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Elevated Ramen Noodles

Mushroom Pasta

Close-up of fusilli pasta with mushrooms, garnished with rosemary and black pepper.
Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Adding mushrooms to noodles helped meals stay interesting this week. Mushroom Pasta served up earthy and fulfilling bites that were soft and filling. It kept its flavor for packed lunches. Even non-mushroom fans tried a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Pasta

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Quick meals with seafood made weeknights feel more fun. Marry Me Shrimp Pasta mixed up creamy sauce and soft noodles with bites that stayed together. Seconds always led to clean plates. The meal fits well for both lunch and dinner the next day.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Pasta alla Norma

A pot filled with penne pasta in a tomato sauce, topped with grated cheese, basil leaves, and herbs.
Pasta alla Norma. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bringing color and veggies to the table freshened up dinner times. Pasta alla Norma paired chewy noodles with simple toppings for an easy boost. Leftovers kept well in the fridge. It was easy to scoop onto plates each night.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Italian Pasta with Salami

A vibrant pasta salad with fusilli, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, black olives, and diced salami in a clear bowl.
Italian Pasta with Salami. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Pasta with meat helped balance meals when time was short. Italian Pasta with Salami gave us a break from plain noodles and packed well for any meal. Bowls rarely had any leftovers. It became the most-requested dinner of the week.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami

Tortellini Soup

A close-up of creamy tortellini with spinach and fresh basil leaves.
Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Warm bowls make dinner better when there’s little time to cook. Tortellini Soup is fully loaded and works for both lunch and dinner. It is requested at family events often. Spoons scrape the bottom each time.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup

Easy Chicken Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Easy Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sticking with simple made each meal less of a hassle. Easy Chicken Casserole filled up plates quickly without much effort in the kitchen. Kids enjoyed the big pieces and scoops. Leftovers made for great packed lunches.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Casserole

Italian Pasta Salad

Bowtie pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze in a green bowl.
Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Packed bowls of pasta kept sides easy for every meal. Italian Pasta Salad worked for lunch or dinner and fit well with meats or veggies. Containers always came home empty. It never felt heavy even after second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

Homemade Lasagna

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil.
Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Big layered meals kept everyone fed without fuss. Homemade Lasagna sliced up neatly and held together for big servings or leftovers. Even small pieces filled you up. It made dinner better all week without complaints.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna

Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta

Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Pasta without dairy worked for anyone looking for lighter meals. Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta brought rich color to dinner and kept things creamy. The bowls were cleared before anyone wanted dessert. Saving some for later was always a good plan.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta

Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a creamy, golden-brown macaroni and cheese dish with a crunchy breadcrumb topping reminiscent of comforting funeral potatoes. A spoon is partially submerged in the cheese sauce.
Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sometimes you need easy comfort without all the extras. Mac and Cheese always fits when people want something quick and filling. No leftovers made lunch planning easy. Dinner felt better with just a simple scoop on every plate.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

A bowl of creamy chicken pasta garnished with herbs, served with a side of rice and a small bowl of fresh parsley.
Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Adding a bit of heat kept weeknight dinners interesting. Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta filled up bowls and packed away well for work lunches too. No one skipped seconds. Each meal finished quickly with everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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