19 Pasta Dinners Mama Would Be Proud Of
Pasta dinners are an American staple around the dinner table. Few dishes come together as quickly and satisfy as many people at your table, even the kids. But there’s no reason to end up in a pasta rut, making the same pasta recipe over and over. There is a whole world of pasta dishes out there just waiting for you to try them. These nineteen pasta dinners are simple, delicious, and made with everyday ingredients you might already have in your fridge at home. Any Italian mama would be proud to have one of these on her dinner table.
1. Rustic Italian Pasta Salad
A hearty pasta dish that truly fills you up isn’t easy to come by sometimes. But this rustic Italian pasta salad does exactly that. It has a wonderful strong flavor that lets you know with no uncertainty that there are herbs present. The vegetables complement the herbs, and the pasta pulls it all together. Let the leftovers sit in the fridge overnight to make an even better pasta salad for lunch the next day.
2. Artichoke Chicken Pasta
If you are a fan of artichoke hearts, this artichoke chicken pasta is a must-try recipe. Soft hearts of artichoke, perfectly cooked pasta, and tender chunks of chicken tossed together with a lovely dressing make this a recipe you’ll want to hang onto. Serve this with a side salad and some garlic bread or a dinner roll to round out your dinner.
3. Cheeseburger Pasta
If you are a fan of cheesy pasta, this homemade cheeseburger pasta recipe is a must-try. It has all the spices you would expect in a dish like this, just without using any box mixes. The spice mix is made from spices you most likely already have at home in your kitchen. Just add some cooked ground meat and plenty of cheese to the pasta, and you have a delicious meal that both kids and adults will thoroughly enjoy.
4. Easy Macaroni Salad
This quick and easy macaroni salad is a fantastic pasta dish to throw together at the last minute for a potluck, barbecue, or family get-together. It pairs perfectly with any type of meat or anything off of a barbecue. It uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, and the ingredient prep will be done by the time it’s time to drain the pasta.
5. Homemade Lasagna
If you love lasagna, you know that nothing beats a delicious homemade lasagna made with love and care. The delectable ingredients create a fusion of cheesy goodness that only lasagna can provide. It’s rich, hearty, and very, very filling. Round out the meal with a green salad and some crunchy garlic bread.
6. Baby Kale Pasta
If you like pasta dinners you can get on the table fast, this baby kale pasta is a quick one to throw together. The bacon can cook in the oven while you make everything else on the stovetop. It all comes together at about the same time to create this simple yet delicious meal the whole family will love.
7. Spaghetti Pie
This delicious spaghetti pie can either be made from scratch, or it can be put together using leftover spaghetti. No matter how it starts though, it always ends with smiles at the dinner table. Serve this with some crunchy garlic bread, and watch everyone ask for a second helping.
8. Greek Pasta Salad
If Greek flavors are a favorite, this Greek pasta salad is a quick and simple dish to throw together for dinner tonight. The ingredient are simple, but put them all together and you end up with a delicious pasta salad that will transport you to a Greek island on a warm summer night. Not bad for a simple pasta.
9. BLT Pasta Salad
If a BLT sandwich is a long-time favorite, this BLT pasta salad is sure to please. It’s hearty, extra filling, and delivers that classic flavor everyone expects from the BLT. This is delicious served warm or cold, so any leftovers work well for lunch the next day. That is, if there are any leftovers.
10. Tuscan Pasta Salad
If you love the flavors of Tuscany, this Tuscan pasta salad is a great option for dinner tonight. Classic Italian vegetables mixed with pasta and a lovely vinaigrette make an unforgettable pasta salad that is perfect for the warm days ahead. Serve with a green side salad or a bowl of soup to round out the dinner.
11. Tuna Pasta Salad
This simple, five-ingredient tuna pasta salad is one of the quickest and tastiest dinners anyone can make. It’s a perfect recipe for busy weeknights, and leftovers taste great the next day, maybe even better. Just cook the pasta, toss in the tuna and veggies, and add some mayo for an unforgettable pasta dinner you’ll for sure make again.
12. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Buffalo chicken fans will love this Buffalo chicken pasta salad. It has all that spicy, tangy Buffalo flavor you love mixed with pasta and some veggies for a delicious meal you won’t be able to stop eating. Any leftovers are easy to pack up to take for lunch the next day.
13. Cavatappi Pasta
Sausage was made to be paired with pasta. This cavatappi pasta proves it again and again with the delicious combo of fresh herbs and tomatoes, sausage, and tender pasta. Tossed together, this dish is a fabulous stand-alone meal, but you can add some sides if you prefer.
14. Creamy Kale and Mushroom Pasta
This creamy kale and mushroom pasta can be made with diary or without. It’s a hearty meal filled with delicious greens, whole-grain pasta, and a wonderfully creamy sauce. Serve this with some crunchy garlic bread, but eat as much as you can, because leftovers tend to be a little on the drier side. Eating this fresh is best.
15. Orecchiette Pasta Salad
This delicious tiny pasta is perfect for making salad. Orecchiette pasta salad is an easy-to-eat salad that gives you a toothsome experience while filling you up and making sure you stay that way for a while. The flavors are fresh and wonderful and pair nicely with a side of soup.
16. Avocado Pasta Salad
This fresh and tasty avocado pasta salad is perfect for a quick dinner tonight. The fresh veggies are filling, the pasta is tender, and the dressing seals the deal with garlic lemony goodness. This is a light salad, but quite filling. It’s great serve as a plant-based main course, or you can serve it as a side dish to a meat-based main course. Either way, this is a super easy dish that works every time.
17. Chickpea Orzo Salad
If you want a salad that has a consistency more like rice salad, this chickpea orzo salad is a great option. The small-sized pasta acts much like rice and provides a similar texture in a finished salad. The delicious pesto flavors in this pasta salad are fresh and perfect for the coming warmer months. But don’t wait for a hot day to make this. This is a recipe you want to make tonight.
18. Chili Mac
If comfort food needs to be on the menu tonight, this chili mac is a great place to start. The saucy, meaty, cheesy, goodness of this pasta is the whole reason there is a thing called comfort food in the first place. This dish will soothe your soul from start to finish. Serve with some crunchy garlic bread to really hit a home run.
19. Rainbow Orzo Salad
This light, bright, rainbow orzo salad is a great option for a side salad to a main course. If you are grilling, do not pass up this recipe. The leftovers make a wonderfully light lunch the next day, but only if you have leftovers. This stuff might just be too good to have any.
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