These 30-minute pasta recipes make the perfect midweek meal for your whole family!
Pasta is probably my #1 go-to for midweek meals. If I can start with pasta as a base and add protein, fresh produce, and some form of dairy, I can create balanced 30-minute pasta recipes everyone in my family will love. Here are my Top Nine 30-minute Pasta Recipes.
Sausage, Chard, and Acorn Squash Noodles
This recipe is the epitome of comfort food. The combination of savory sausage, fresh chard, and warm acorn squash make this pasta dish the perfect fall dinner. It’s also easy to switch out the chard for spinach or kale, the acorn squash for butternut squash or pumpkin, and the sausage for bacon or ground turkey. I love dishes that are easy to adjust to your family’s favorite flavors.
Turkey Cincinnati Chili over Spaghetti
Unlike a traditional chili recipe, this turkey cincinnati chili contains a unique flavor profile from unsweetened chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, worcestershire sauce, and other delicious ingredients. It is served over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. A dollop of sour cream and sprinkling of green onions are a great addition to this recipe.
Spicy Asian Noodle Salad
This dish was inspired by a sesame noodle dish my dad made for me as a kid. It is served chilled, and can be prepared with your favorite combination of crisp, fresh vegetables, like snow peas, cucumbers, red peppers, scallions, and carrots. You can make it as spicy as you’d like, so feel free to turn up the heat!
Roasted Tomato Grilled Chicken Pasta
This delicious bowtie pasta dish is unique in that it can be enjoyed warm when it is first prepared or chilled the next day for leftovers. By roasting the tomatoes, you bring out the flavor and juiciness, so they just burst in your mouth with each bite. Season the grilled chicken well with Italian herbs and top with parmesan cheese for a flavor explosion!
Chicken & Veggie Pesto Alfredo Penne
This really is a complete one-pot meal. It combines the classic herbaceous flavors of pesto sauce and the creaminess of Alfredo sauce to make a new sauce that is super tasty. Toss in your family’s favorite veggies, like broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes, with chicken {rotisserie chicken works great here}, and enjoy this delicious dinner!
Beef Pho for Two
Pho is all the rage right now, and it’s actually much easier than you think it would be to prepare! With a little help from store-bought beef stock and spices you probably already have in your spice drawer, you can quickly make a delicious pot of pho soup. Add your favorite fresh herbs, egg with a runny yolk, and some sliced rare beef to make a complete meal. Oh, and did I mention the noodles? You need those to absorb all the delicious brothy goodness!
Four Cheese Bacon Mac & Cheese
Everybody loves a delicious mac & cheese, but you know what makes it even better? Four different cheeses aaaand {drumroll} BACON! Between the creamy, cheesy sauce and salty bacon bites, this is the perfect side dish. Add vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli to make a complete meal. And of course, bake it with a little bit of breadcrumbs to get that perfect crunchy topping. Yum!
Creamy Shrimp Penne
Your favorite prepared Alfredo sauce paired with fresh shrimp, sauteed mushrooms, and wilted spinach make this a balanced meal that can be prepared in just minutes. This recipe was actually inspired by a pizza dish I had in Cedar Key, Florida many years ago, and because the flavor combination is so unique, I thought of a fun way to re-create it as a midweek pasta meal.
Spring Veggie Pesto Pasta
Last but not least, this is a super-simple recipe that combines roasted asparagus, fresh peas, tangy goat cheese, and bright lemon zest to make a simple pasta dish perfect for spring. If you’re children don’t like asparagus and peas, try a different combination of green vegetables that they do love.
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What’s your favorite midweek pasta dish?
Any Comments?