| |

11 Pasta Dishes That Make You Forget About Takeout and Actually Want to Cook Tonight

ByLeah Ingram

Tired of ordering takeout like it’s your side hustle? These 11 pasta dishes will make you put down your phone and actually want to cook tonight. Get ready to toss, twirl and maybe even impress yourself.

A plate of fettuccine Alfredo topped with pieces of grilled chicken and garnished with chopped herbs. A breadstick and a dipping sauce are visible in the background.
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Easy Pasta Puttanesca brings bold garlic, briny olives and juicy tomatoes together fast. It’s a quick fix with big flavor that hits the spot when you’re done with boring weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese garnished with parsley.
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot means fewer dishes and more flavor. It’s packed with tender pasta, spicy sausage and soft peppers that taste like a win straight off the stove.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

A plate of pasta with bacon, corn, and parsley, served on a white and blue speckled plate with a red and white striped cloth in the background.
30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta brings sweet corn, juicy chicken and pasta together in a thick, rich sauce. It’s fast, filling and just the kind of thing you’ll crave on repeat.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Easy Shrimp Scampi

A blue bowl filled with shrimp and rice, topped with green herbs, with a metal spoon in the bowl.
Easy Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Easy Shrimp Scampi means buttery shrimp, garlic and lemon tossed with pasta in under 30 minutes. It feels fancy but skips the hassle so you can eat good and keep things easy tonight.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Scampi

Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

A hand holds a wooden fork with pasta above a bowl of cold pasta salad on a woven placemat, with wooden cutlery and a napkin nearby—perfect inspiration for your next cold pasta salad recipe.
Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing cools things down with crunchy veggies, tangy dressing and pasta that soaks up all the flavor. It’s chill, fast and great for any no-cook night.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini

Close-up of tortellini pasta cooking in a creamy yellow sauce with pieces of chicken, stirred by a wooden spoon.
Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini brings cheesy stuffed pasta and chicken together in one rich pot. Set it early and come home to comfort food ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini

Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta

A ladle scooping creamy chicken pasta with rotini and spinach from a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta turns basic pantry stuff into a bold pasta dinner. Let the chicken soak up all the dressing while the noodles get coated in that creamy Caesar vibe.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta

Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese

A slice of baked macaroni and cheese with a golden breadcrumb topping on a white plate with a blue rim.
Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese goes all in on cheese with a bubbly top and golden crust. Pull it from the oven and watch everyone line up like it’s the only thing they wanted all week long.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

A close-up of a pot brimming with Instant Pot pork lo mein, showcasing cooked noodles mingling with assorted vegetables and tender pieces of meat.
Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

You might forget that noodles are technically pasta and that’s why I’ve included this Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein recipe in this round up. All it requires are noodles, pork and veggies to make this quick pressure-cooked dish.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein

Risotto Shrimp Scampi

A bowl of creamy risotto with shrimp, topped with green herbs, and a spoon resting on the side.
Risotto Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Risotto Shrimp Scampi loads up buttery garlic rice with plump shrimp in one rich dish. Stir it slow, blast some music and pretend your kitchen’s a five-star spot without the weird lighting.
Get the Recipe: Risotto Shrimp Scampi

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine

A close-up of fettuccine Alfredo topped with grilled chicken pieces, garnished with parsley. Breadstick visible in the background.
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine nails that rich white sauce and grilled chicken combo. It’s creamy, garlicky and the reason you’ll stop ordering the real deal so much.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine