20+ Simple Pasta Dinner Recipes for the Whole Family

I’ve collected some of my favorite Pasta Dinner Recipes for the whole family here… and we go way beyond spaghetti and meat suace – in fact, I bet you haven’t tried most of these! No matter if it’s a cheesy baked pasta straight from the oven or a cold pasta salad for a quick lunch on a hot day, pasta just works for busy families like ours.

You may also want to save my list of Easy 30 Minute Meals for Dinner or my 20+ Lazy Dinners with Minimal Prep.

Sheet Pan Cheesy Lasagna

This Sheet Pan Lasagna is an easy, cheesy, and family-friendly dinner that cooks all on one pan. Ready in 45 minutes, it’s great for weeknight meals or a simple family dinner.

One-Pan Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini

This Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Tortellini is a quick, hearty dinner that’s cheesy, meaty, and comes together in just one pan. It’s great for busy weeknights or casual family dinners, ready in just 30 minutes!

Crockpot Angel Chicken on Spaghetti

This Crockpot Angel Chicken is a creamy slow cooker chicken pasta recipe made with tender chicken, cream cheese, butter, and a savory Italian-style sauce that cooks all day and turns into a cozy, comforting meal. It’s basically a dump, cook, and serve kind of dinner that anyone can pull off with no stress.

Creamy Italian Carbonara

In the mood for authentic Italian pasta? Try this Creamy Italian Carbonara – it’s a creamy Italian pasta dish made with spaghetti, pancetta, egg yolks, and Parmigiano Reggiano, all tossed together into a rich and comforting sauce. 

Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

This Crockpot Beef Ravioli Casserole is an easy crockpot pasta casserole made with ground beef, pasta sauce, ravioli, and melted cheese. It’s a hearty slow cooker recipe that is great for dinner or serves as a main dish at special gatherings.

Creamy Cajun Sausage Bowtie Pasta

This Creamy Cajun Sausage Bowtie Pasta is a one-pot creamy Cajun sausage pasta made with andouille sausage, bowtie pasta, rich cream, cheddar cheese, and a little kick of Cajun seasoning. An easy pasta dinner recipe, ready in no time.

Spaghetti Scampi e Spinaci

This Spaghetti Scampi e Spinaci is a creamy shrimp spinach pasta made with juicy shrimp, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, garlic, onion, and a rich pesto cream sauce. It’s an easy 30-minute meal perfect for busy moms that needs a quick dinner recipe in no time.

Tortellini Soup

This Autumn Tortellini Soup is a cozy fall soup made with Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, tender vegetables, and a rich herb-seasoned broth that tastes like pure comfort in a bowl, and it’s so easy to make on a busy weeknight.

Creamy Swedish Meatballs on Noddles

These slow cooker creamy Swedish meatballs are a family-friendly dinner recipe made with tender meatballs, a rich mushroom sauce, and simple pantry ingredients. It’s a dump-and-go crockpot dinner you can make ahead.

Cheesy Italian Stuffed Shells Casserole

These Italian Stuffed Shells are tender pasta shells stuffed with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, plus Italian sausage.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta Casserole

This creamy spinach artichoke chicken casserole is a cheesy, comforting pasta bake that’s great for a simple weeknight dinner or family meal.

BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake Casserole

This BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake Casserole is a creamy, cheesy chicken pasta dinner made with tender chicken breast, rotini pasta, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, ranch dressing, and smoky barbecue sauce. Everything gets mixed together and baked with melty Monterey Jack cheese on top for a warm and comforting meal.

Cheesy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This Cheesy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy chicken spaghetti casserole made with tender shredded chicken, spaghetti noodles, melty Velveeta, Rotel tomatoes, and plenty of cheesy goodness.

Baked White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese

This White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese is a creamy comfort food dinner recipe made with tender shredded chicken, pasta shells, green chiles, beans, and a rich cheesy sauce with warm chili spices.

Crispy Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti

This Crispy Lemon Garlic Chicken Spaghetti is a satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Made with crispy chicken served on a bed of buttery, garlicky spaghetti with melted mozzarella.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

This creamy baked mac and cheese is rich, cheesy, and topped with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb layer. Great for family dinners or a comforting weeknight meal.

One Pan Cheeseburger Pasta

This One Pan Cheeseburger Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe made with ground beef, pasta shells, tomato sauce, beef broth, and lots of melted cheddar cheese.

Cheesy Taco Pasta Salad with Catalina Dressing

Easy Taco Pasta Salad made with ground beef, cheese, pasta, and Doritos! A flavorful side dish great for family dinner, parties, potlucks, and game day.

Cold Tortellini Pesto Salad

This Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish made with cheese tortellini, fresh veggies, and basil pesto. It’s perfect for make-ahead meals.

Shrimp Pasta Salad

This easy Shrimp Pasta Salad is creamy, refreshing, and full of flavor—made with tender shrimp, pasta, and a simple homemade dressing. Great for potlucks, lunches, or light dinners.

Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

This easy Orzo Salad combines tender pasta with fresh veggies, salty olives, creamy feta, and a bright lemony dressing. It’s a quick, refreshing dish for lunch, dinner, or a side.

Broccoli Pasta Salad

This Broccoli Pasta Salad is a creamy, crunchy, and colorful side dish made with tender pasta, fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, and a sweet-tangy dressing.

Italian Hoagie Pasta Salad

This Italian Hoagie Pasta Salad is made with pasta, deli meats, cheese, veggies, and a creamy Italian-style dressing.

Cobb Pasta Salad

This Cobb Pasta Salad combines tender bowtie pasta with classic Cobb salad toppings like bacon, blue cheese, eggs, avocado, and tomatoes, all tossed in creamy ranch dressing.