16 Pasta Recipes That Do More with Less (Under 8 Ingredients)
Great pasta doesn’t need a long list of ingredients to stand out. These 16 recipes keep things simple with fewer than eight ingredients, while still delivering plenty of flavor. Each dish shows how a few well-chosen components can come together into something satisfying and delicious. If you’re looking for easy meals that don’t require much but still feel complete, this list is a great place to start.
Instant Pot Pasta with Palomino Sauce
This Instant Pot Pasta with Palomino Sauce is light and creamy and delicious. It comes together in just about 20 minutes and only uses 6 ingredients! This recipe is definitely going on my normal rotation from now on.
Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
This ultra-easy Mexican Lasagna brilliantly uses ravioli to create delicious layers. It’s awesome for busy nights, since you don’t need to thaw the ravioli first – you just layer and go (and can even assemble the casserole entirely ahead of time)!
Pasta e Piselli (Pasta and Peas)
Pasta e piselli (pasta with peas) is a simple yet super tasty spring dish of Neapolitan inspiration. Made with short pasta and fresh or frozen peas, this pasta e piselli recipe is a flavourful dish that’s like a cross between a pasta dish and a soup.
Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake
With only 8 simple ingredients and loaded with protein and incredible cozy flavors, this Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is sure to be a dinner winner!
Pesto Pasta
The best recipes are the simplest. Pesto pasta with homemade basil pesto, al dente noodles and a sprinkle of Parmesan? Perfection.
5 Ingredient Tortellini Salad
This quick and easy cold tortellini salad is perfect for summer! With mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto, and arugula for a simple pasta salad side dish. Vegetarian.
Instant Pot Pasta (3 ingredients!)
This Instant Pot Pasta is so simple to make with just 3 ingredients!
Spicy sausage pasta skillet
This spicy sausage pasta skillet is made in 1 pan with 7 ingredients. There’s so much flavor, it’s hearty and sure to please all.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta with Chicken
A one pot recipe,this Spinach Artichoke Pasta is an easy and flavorful dinner!
No-Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
This Broccoli Pasta Bake is only 7 ingredients and takes 15 minutes to prep. Dinner has never been easier than this baked pasta recipe, you don’t even have to boil the noodles! The oven does all the cooking for you.
Green Pasta
This easy Green Pasta is a tasty way to eat your greens! The sauce has avocados, peas and fresh green herbs. Ready in just 10 minutes with 8 ingredients. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy free.
Spaghetti Alla Siciliana
This authentic Sicilian spaghetti recipe is so easy and it takes only 5 ingredients to make it! Spaghetti Siciliana is a fiery mix of hot pasta mixed with lots of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chillies and olive oil. Simple and gorgeous!
Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
This cheap & cheesy Tortellini Casserole is a weeknight favorite done in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients but lots of flavor. Just boil the tortellini halfway, then dump, bake and serve! It also heats up really well for delicious leftovers!
Italian Sausage Bake
This Italian sausage bake is an easy family casserole dinner made with pasta, spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage links, cheese, and basil! With only 5 ingredients, it’s a super meal to put together quickly and still serve up hearty comfort food that everyone will enjoy! It will definitely be added to your weekly dinner rotation!
One Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp
One Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp – a simple fettuccine Alfredo recipe made in one pan. Add shrimp to have a romantic and easy meal you can enjoy any night of the week.
Velveeta Taco Mac And Cheese
Combine your family’s two favorite meals into one with this Velveeta taco mac and cheese. Affordable, kid-friendly, and super cheesy and delicious. Perfect for a busy weeknight because it’s also a one pot meal!
