You Need These Delicious 5-Ingredient Pasta Recipes in Your Dinner Rotation (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

These flavorful 5-ingredient pasta recipes pack just as much punch with fewer ingredients and less time spent in the kitchen.

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Cheddar Spirals

Our kids always loved this cheesy, 5-ingredient pasta recipe and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding co*cktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin

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2/16

Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone

When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don’t have a lot of time to cook, this sausage tortellini skillet recipe is fast and yummy. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California

3/16

Penne with Kale and Onion

I love kale; my husband hates it. But when I swapped it into a favorite penne-with-spinach recipe, it was so delicious, he asked for seconds! —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas

4/16

Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota

5/16

Parmesan Fettuccine

This fettuccine recipe is such a simple side dish. With just four ingredients, it’s ready in no time for a taste that’s sure to please the entire family. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Lousiana

6/16

Easy Stuffed Shells

I threw this easy 5-ingredient pasta recipe together one day when we had unexpected guests. It was an immediate hit and is now a family favorite. Get the kids involved when putting together this simple, savory dish. —Dolores Betchner, Cudahy, Wisconsin

7/16

Tortellini Carbonara

Bacon, cream and Parmesan cheese make a classic pasta sauce that’s absolutely heavenly. It’s a delightful option for company! —Cathy Croyle, Davidsville, Pennsylvania

8/16

Favorite Lasagna Roll-Ups

This crowd-pleasing take on lasagna offers a new way to enjoy a classic dish in individual portions. And it requires only a few ingredients. —Susan Sabia, Windsor, California

9/16

Garlic-Buttered Pasta

This is the best garlic butter sauce for pasta. Guests always leave a spot for it on their plates. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho.

10/16

Pressure-Cooker Smoked Salmon Pasta

I love making one-pot pastas in my pressure cooker. Every noodle soaks up the flavors of the delicious ingredients. I tried a version with some leftover smoked fish and fresh dill, and boom—this smoked salmon pasta was born. It’s now a staple in our house because the dish is on the table in a half hour and the kids love it! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

11/16

Warm Chicken Tortellini Au Gratin

This is one of my favorite recipes. Pasta from Monday plus roasted chicken from Tuesday equals this delicious dish on Wednesday. It’s fast and delicious, and paired with a green salad and toasty bread, you have a meal that’s fancy enough for company. —Brenda Cole, Reisterstown, Maryland

12/16

13/16

Shrimp Pasta Alfredo

My son loves any recipe with Alfredo sauce. As a bachelor, shrimp pasta was one of the first recipes he learned to prepare. Now his children ask for it regularly. Gail Lucas, Olive Branch, Mississippi

14/16

Ravioli Casserole

The whole family will love the fun, cheesy flavor of this ravioli casserole. It’s like lasagna—without all the fuss! Timesaving ingredients, including prepared spaghetti sauce and frozen ravioli, hurry the preparation along. —Mary Ann Rothert, Austin, Texas

15/16

Sausage Spaghetti Spirals

My family loves this flavorful casserole with hearty chunks of sausage and green pepper. The recipe makes a big pan, so it’s nicely sized for a potluck. —Carol Carolton, Wheaton, Illinois

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Lemon Parmesan Orzo

A splash of lemon and a shower of chopped parsley make this 5-ingredient pasta one of my family’s most-requested sides. It’s fantastic with chicken, pork and fish. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts

Lauren has spent four years in digital and print publishing since earning her professional journalism degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. As an editor at Taste of Home, Lauren spends her days leading SEO-focused projects and collaborating with the Test Kitchen to develop new recipes. She also writes daily about her favorite recipes, building seasonal charcuterie boards and more. Lauren previously pitched, wrote and edited content about event planning, catering and travel, but discovered her passion for food journalism in particular while she served as the editor and co-founder of her school’s chapter of Spoon University.After exploring the restaurant scene in Minneapolis for almost eight years, Lauren moved to Milwaukee where she continues to try every seasonal latte and scoop of frozen custard she can. No matter where she goes, she loves to share her finds with her friends and family on Instagram. When she’s not writing or posting about food, she’s either making it at home or deliberating where to dine next.