When you need a fast, satisfying meal, pasta is one of the most reliable options. With just a few pantry staples and minimal prep, you can put together a comforting dish in under 10 minutes. These quick pasta recipes are ideal for busy weekdays, late dinners, or whenever you want something simple without compromising on taste.
All recipes below use 120 g pasta per serving and require very basic ingredients.
1. Garlic Butter Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 15 g butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 25 g grated Parmesan
- Salt and black pepper
Method:
Boil the pasta until al dente, sauté garlic in butter, add pasta, Parmesan, seasoning, and a little pasta water, then toss well.
2. Creamy Spinach Pasta (No Cream)
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- ½ cup milk
- 30 g cream cheese
- 1 cup spinach
- Salt and pepper
Method:
Cook the pasta, warm milk and cream cheese together, add pasta and spinach, and toss until creamy and wilted.
3. Lemon Olive Oil Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Zest and juice of ½ lemon
- 20 g Parmesan
- Salt and chili flakes
Method:
Toss hot pasta with olive oil, lemon zest and juice, Parmesan, salt, and chili flakes.
4. Tomato Basil Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil
- Salt and pepper
Method:
Sauté crushed tomatoes in olive oil, add cooked pasta, season, and finish with fresh basil.
5. One-Pan Garlic Chili Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Chili flakes
- 20 g Parmesan
Method:
Cook pasta, sauté garlic and chili flakes in olive oil, add pasta, Parmesan, and toss well.
6. Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup cream
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Method:
Sauté mushrooms in olive oil, add cream, mix in cooked pasta, and season to taste.
7. Pesto Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 2 tbsp basil pesto
- 15 g Parmesan
Method:
Mix hot pasta with pesto and Parmesan, loosening with pasta water if needed.
8. Cheesy Milk Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- ½ cup milk
- 30 g shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper
Method:
Heat milk, melt cheese into it, add cooked pasta, and season.
9. Garlic Soy Butter Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Black pepper
Method:
Toss hot pasta with butter, soy sauce, sautéed garlic, and black pepper.
10. Olive & Capers Pasta
Ingredients:
- 120 g pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp olives
- 1 tsp capers
- Chili flakes
Method:
Mix cooked pasta with olive oil, olives, capers, and chili flakes.