Busy weeknight dinner can be hectic. Instead of ordering takeaway food, why not try one of these pasta dinners? While the pasta is cooking, you can make a simple sauce and be done making dinner in less time than pizza delivery. Pasta is high in carbohydrates, so the key to a nutritious pasta meal is in the sauce. A tomato based pasta sauce can quickly get you a lot of fiber and nutrients. If you’re serving picky children who don’t like to eat vegetables, try hiding them in a tomato sauce. Finely grate carrots and zucchini and cook them with the tomato sauce. The vegetables will break down and be unrecognizable  Your kids will eat it and you’ll know they’re getting some great nutrition.

Take a look at our recipes and then leave a comment with your go-to weeknight pasta meal.

1. Margherita Pasta

With only a handful of ingredients and only about 15 minutes of cooking time, this pasta couldn’t be a more perfect weeknight meal. The tomato, garlic, and basil taste so delicious together in this light sauce.

http://carlsbadcravings.com/margherita-pasta-recipe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CarlsbadCravings+(Carlsbad+Cravings) Photos and Recipe By: Carl’s Bad Cravings

2

2. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

This unconventional pasta salad has a nutritious and delicious cream sauce.  Serve this dish piping hot with a little parmesan cheese on top.

https://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/07/creamy-tomato-spinach-pasta/ Photos and Recipe By: Budget Bytes

3

3. Asparagus Pasta

Go simple and delicious with this recipe. The sauce is a classic olive oil dressing, with Parmesan to make it tasty. You can use any vegetable that’s in season.

http://fattaincasa.tumblr.com/post/51142673832/orecchiette-con-broccoli-serves-2-as-a-first Photos and Recipe By: Fattaincasa

4

4. Orecchiette Con Cime Di Rape

This is the signature dish of the Puglia region of southern Italy. Orecchiette literally translates as “little ears”. They look like little bowl shaped discs that are ideal for catching the wonderful sauce they are to be tossed with. This classic dish features cime di rape, also known as broccoli rabe in English, or sometimes referred to as turnip greens.

http://fattaincasa.tumblr.com/post/51142673832/orecchiette-con-broccoli-serves-2-as-a-first Photos and Recipe By: Fattaincasa

5

5. Greek Pasta Salad

This light and simple meal is a great way to use up old items in your refrigerator. The pasta is cooked and then drained and cooled with a light salad dressing. Add in your extras, like chopped ham or left over chicken. Feta works great in this dish.

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/mediterranean-pasta-salad/ Photos and Recipe By: Gimme Some Oven

6

6. Bacon and Broccoli Mac And Cheese

In this stove-top version of macaroni and cheese, bacon and broccoli are stirred in for added texture and flavor. You can use any vegetable(s) you like for this recipe. Add in as many as you can; stirring them in macaroni and cheese is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies!

https://www.budgetbytes.com/2017/05/one-pot-bacon-broccoli-mac-cheese/ Photos and Recipe By: Budget Bytes

7

7. Penne Pasta with Lemon and Rosemary

This refreshing pasta dish is a breeze to make. Use a store cooked chicken to quickly add more protein to this dinner. Pre-cooked chicken can actually be cheaper than buying a raw chicken, so check your grocery store for prices.

https://foodnessgracious.com/penne-pasta-lemon-rosemary/ Photos and Recipe By: Foodness Gracious

8

8. Mexican Ravioli Bake

It’s not very often that ravioli is used in non-Italian dishes, but in this recipe, it’s given a Mexican make-over. It’s cooked with salsa, beans, corn and cheese for a dish that will transport you South of the Border. It’s so simple, and so delicious!

http://www.chewoutloud.com/2017/02/28/mexican-style-cheesy-ravioli-bake/ Photos and Recipe By: Chew Out Loud

9

9. Mediterranean Orzo

Orzo is a unique ingredient. It’s pasta in the shape of long grain rice! It works great for pasta salads and side dishes. This recipe is for a hot pasta salad side dish. It would be perfect beside some roasted pork, or grilled chicken.

https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/mediterranean-orzo-salad/ Photos and Recipe By: Jo Cooks

10

10. 5 Ingredient Sun Dried Tomato Fettuccine

When you’re running low on ingredients around the house, this pasta only requires five ingredients! Toss it together and enjoy!

https://www.girlgonegourmet.com/5-ingredient-sun-dried-tomato-alfredo/ Photos and Recipe By: Girl Gone Gourmet