Pasta Dinner Recipes – Really Good and Really Easy Meals With Cheap Pasta Noodles
This family has gotten a bit tired of the same ol’ pasta dinners with the same ol’ ingredients so – it’s time to UP my pasta game with some fresh new recipes.
Below are some absolutely YUMMY and UNIQUE dinners with cheap pasta noodles that this family LOVED on test runs (even the PICKY eaters!). Not these recipes are on my meal planning menu for good.
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To me, pasta = comfort food. Always has – always will… and thankfully, my family LOVES anything pasta too! Even the little picky eaters will eat buttered noodles 24/7!
Best of all, pasta is CHEAP and there is always a box of some sort of pasta or a bag of egg noodles in my pantry.
As long as I have some pasta, canned chicken and a couple cans of cream of sumthin’ soup, I can make a yummy dinner.
Like my famous 5 Can Pasta Chicken Skillet:
That means – pasta is a Go To ingredient when I don’t know what to make for dinner (or I REALLY need to go to the grocery store – which is usually the case haha!)
Below are some absolutely wonderful pasta meals I’ve made recently that EVERYONE at the table loved (ok, wait – except for the spinach pasta – I can’t get the littles to eat a darn thing that is green – but the hubby and I loved it!)
I’ve also included some reviews and feedback from others that have made these recipes too.
I know what it’s like to be linked to a recipe and not have a CLUE what you’re getting so hopefully, that will help you filter out the recipes you really want to make.
No particular order, just lots of YUMMY dinners all with PASTA!
Cajun Chicken Pasta
This creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe is a simple “copy cat” restaurant style main dish to make at home in just 30 minutes!
It’s bursting with flavor, thanks to a combination of tender, Cajun-spiced chicken and a rich, cheesy sauce.
Garlic Parm Pasta
This easy Garlic Parmesan Pasta is a family favorite 20 minute dinner recipe! My kids absolutely LOVE it!
The pasta noodles are covered in a creamy garlic parmesan white sauce to make a hearty and filling meatless dinner or serve it as a side dish.
Easy Cheesy Chicken Rotini
This is one my “fancy” pasta recipes.
It’s really easy to make and the kiddos gobble it up. Win/ Win!
Crockpot Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a hearty slow cooker main dish full of tender chicken in a creamy sauce.
It’s perfect when you need a simple meal on the dinner table that the whole family can enjoy.
Note: this can also be made stove top
Crockpot Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Cheeseburger Pasta skillet is one of our favorite family meals! It is a rich, creamy, and comforting pasta dish packed with two kinds of cheese and seasoned ground beef.
One skillet, ready in under 30 minutes, and full of creamy goodness that even the pickiest eaters will love!
Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Recipe
✅ NOTE: I have a lot of CHEAP dinner recipes with ground beef here.
Taco Pasta Casserole
This Taco Pasta Casserole is a CHEAP easy dinner with only 5 ingredients (ground beef hamburger meat, pasta, cheese etc) – it’s a simple 10 dollar meal to make ahead and freeze or throw together for a quick frugal meal for the family.
Or – make a double batch… one for dinner tonight and one to freeze for later!
Sausage Alfredo Pasta
Creamy, Sausage Alfredo Pasta is a quick and versatile dinner recipe that is on the table in under 30 minutes! Noodles are tossed in a hearty, cheesy, alfredo sauce and sausage for an easy, satisfying meal.
One Pot Spinach Pasta
This simple one pot spinach pasta is fast, easy and delicious. It’s ready in less than 15 minutes and makes a weeknight meal the whole family will love.
This is one of those easy pasta dishes or one-pot pasta recipes perfect when you just need to get dinner on the table in no time.
One Pot Taco Pasta
This is one of the most popular recipes on my Cheap Dinner Recipes post – and it’s absolutely worth the praise!
This Creamy Taco Pasta Recipe is a 30 minute meal that you can make in one pot!
Pasta shells are smothered in cheesy taco sauce with ground beef and tomatoes.
Chicken Spaghetti
This Chicken Spaghetti has a creamy 3-cheese blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella!
Rotel tomatoes give this dish a pop of color and added flavor that pairs perfectly with this creamy cheese sauce.
Bonus Points For: No canned soup!
BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole
BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole is a quick and easy dinner loaded with chicken, cheese, and pasta, tossed and baked with BBQ sauce and ranch.
TIP: DOUBLE the recipe and make one casserole for dinner NOW and freeze another casserole for later.
BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
✅ Just a Note: I have a bunch of Freezer Casserole Recipes here
Chicken Noodle Casserole
This Chicken Noodle Casserole is classic comfort food ready with just 15 minutes of prep! Tender egg noodles, veggies, and juicy bites of chicken baked in a rich cream sauce.
The picky eaters in this house LOVE this casserole!
Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
20-Minute Lemon Pasta
This 20-minute creamy lemon pasta is a fresh, simple meal made with just a handful of ingredients.
It’s super easy to throw together and SO flavorful! Wide noodles in a creamy lemon garlic sauce made with simple ingredients including heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese.
The best part is you can make the sauce while the noodles are boiling!
Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian Pasta Salad is the most delicious take on the popular Italian grinder TikTok viral trend!
It’s got all the classic grinder ingredients like pepperoni, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, and pepperoncini peppers tossed up with tender pasta in a creamy dressing.
The combination is incredible!
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight meal that is done in the Instant Pot, in under 30 minutes.
You will love the fresh flavors, with a kick of garlic, basil, and parmesan cheese.
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Crockpot Lasagna
Crockpot Lasagna is a delicious slow cooker meal with the best sauce ever.
Dump the recipe ingredients in your crockpot ahead of time and come home to an amazing and comforting dinner!
Crockpot cooking is my absolute FAVORITE way to get fast, cheap and DELICIOUS meals on the table…
But I’m a bit of a lazy cook haha!
See ALL my favorite LAZY Easy Crockpot Dump Dinners here.
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More Cheap Pasta Recipes:
