Few pantry staples are more versatile than pasta, and we have the recipes to prove it. If you have picky eaters at home, try these kid-friendly spaghetti recipes for more easy dinner ideas.
Meatless Pasta
Pasta With Peppers and Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella, red peppers, and arugula give a pasta recipe a familiar tricolor effect.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Peppers and Mozzarella
Pasta With Smashed Peas
With a more substantial sauce, go with a thicker pasta, such as pappardelle or tagliatelle.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Smashed Peas
Rigatoni With Grilled Peppers and Onions
Hearty rigatoni can stand up to the smoky, charred flavors of grilled vegetables.
Get the recipe: Rigatoni With Grilled Peppers and Onions
Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli
This Cheddar-infused extravaganza is spiced with nutmeg.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli
Gnocchi With Butter and Herb
A sauce of butter and Dijon mustard caps gnocchi―thick, little dumplings.
Get the recipe: Gnocchi With Butter and Herbs
Eggplant Pasta Salad
Mix penne with tender chunks of eggplant and grape tomatoes.
Get the recipe: Eggplant Pasta Salad
Asparagus-Goat Cheese Pasta
The secret behind this dish’s zesty nature: lemon peel.
Get the recipe: Asparagus-Goat Cheese Pasta
Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella
The longer the tomatoes marinate in a mixture of onions, olive oil, mozzarella, salt, and pepper, the more savory the flavor.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Basil Pesto Pasta With Zucchini and Mint
Fresh pesto sauce is easy to make―pulse all the ingredients in a food processor and you’re done. To upgrade, add sliced zucchini and fresh mint.
Get the recipe: Basil Pesto Pasta With Zucchini and Mint
Spicy Coconut Noodles
Coconut, chili powder, bean sprouts, and basil give fettuccine the taste of Thailand.
Get the recipe: Spicy Coconut Noodles
Spaghetti With Broccoli and Lemon
Spaghetti so simple it’s ready in 15 minutes.
Get the recipe: Spaghetti With Broccoli and Lemon
Rigatoni With Sautéed Eggplant and Tomatoes
Top a colorful recipe of pasta and chopped vegetables with fresh mint.
Get the recipe: Rigatoni With Sautéed Eggplant and Tomatoes
Creamy Pesto Gnocchi With Green Beans and Ricotta
A touch of heavy cream makes store-bought pesto even richer.
Get the recipe: Creamy Pesto Gnocchi With Green Beans and Ricotta
Pesto Pasta With Green Beans and Potatoes
Pair pasta with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes and crisp green beans.
Get the recipe: Pesto Pasta With Green Beans and Potatoes
Fusilli With Spinach, Ricotta, and Golden Raisins
Wait a few minutes after preparing this dish to serve it, giving the various flavors time to develop and blend.
Get the recipe: Fusilli With Spinach, Ricotta, and Golden Raisins
Linguine With Caper and Green Olive Sauce
Spanish olives and capers are pure Mediterranean touches.
Get the recipe: Linguine With Caper and Green Olive Sauce
Spinach Pasta With Asparagus Pesto
In a cost-effective use of asparagus, the spears are mixed with pasta, while the stalks help season the pesto sauce.
Get the recipe: Spinach Pasta With Asparagus Pesto
Multigrain Pasta With Sweet Potatoes and Leeks
This vibrant pasta-and-vegetable combo is a low-fat choice.
Get the recipe: Multigrain Pasta With Sweet Potatoes and Leeks
Chickpea Pasta With Almonds and Parmesan
Roasted almonds add an unusual, crunchy note.
Get the recipe: Chickpea Pasta With Almonds and Parmesan
Cold Noodle Salad With Peanut Butter Dressing
This more exotic take on spaghetti can be dressed up with shredded lettuce, carrots, and cooked chicken.
Get the recipe: Cold Noodle Salad With Peanut Butter Dressing
Red Wine Pasta With Romano
Linguine is steeped in red wine to absorb its color and flavor.
Get the recipe: Red Wine Pasta With Romano
Whole-Wheat Spaghetti With Hazelnuts and Asparagus
Toss in toasted hazelnuts for both offbeat flavoring and extra protein.
Get the recipe: Whole-Wheat Spaghetti With Hazelnuts and Asparagus
Pasta With Meat
Farfalle With Spinach and Peas
Feta cheese, a stir-in here, is low in calories and fat, compared to other cheeses. Add prosciutto, cooked until crispy, just before serving.
Get the recipe: Farfalle With Spinach and Peas
Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti
Bake individual ramekins of ziti and ground beef until the mozzarella on top is good and melted.
Get the recipe: Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti
Parmesan Pasta With Chicken and Rosemary
Chicken and rosemary, a classic combination, are paired in a slightly less orthodox recipe.
Get the recipe: Parmesan Pasta With Chicken and Rosemary
Pasta With Sausage and Red Bell Pepper
An old chef’s trick: Use the flavorful pasta water as the base for your sauce.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Sausage and Red Bell Pepper.
Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Sausage
If broccoli rabe isn’t to your taste, sub in broccoli florets. For more bite, try arugula or Swiss chard.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Sausage
Hot Italian Sausage and Tomato Pasta
Eliminate the sausage to retool this as a vegetarian dish.
Get the recipe: Hot Italian Sausage Tomato Pasta
Pappardelle With Cabbage, Prosciutto, and Sage
Cabbage, butter, and sage make a savory broth.
Get the recipe: Pappardelle With Cabbage, Prosciutto, and Sage
Linguine With Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, and Corn
Though broccoli rabe and sausage usually seem to go hand in hand, this recipe calls for diced bacon instead.
Get the recipe: Linguine With Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, and Corn
Orange Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
A steak-and-fettuccine matchup takes a turn toward the East, flavored with soy sauce and hoisin sauce.
Get the recipe: Orange Beef Broccoli Stir Fry
Rustic Pork Ragu
Pork loin, cooked with onion, rosemary, and garlic, flavors this ragu.
Get the recipe: Rustic Pork Ragu
Spaghetti With Chicken and Beans
Opt for whole-wheat pasta as an easy way to work more fiber and whole grains into your diet.
Get the recipe: Spaghetti With Chicken and Beans
Ravioli With Spinach and Bacon
Fresh spinach is preferable here, but in a pinch you can use frozen.
Get the recipe: Ravioli With Spinach and Bacon
Tortellini With Bacon, Greens, and Brown Butter
Buttery, cheese-filled tortellini offsets the slight tang of arugula.
Get the recipe: Tortellini With Bacon, Greens, and Brown Butter
Pasta With Seafood
Pasta With Tuna and Black Olive Vinaigrette
The tuna is flaked from a can, so little cooking is involved. For more robust flavor, splurge on Italian olive oil-packed tuna.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Tuna and Black Olive Vinaigrette
Linguine With Clam Sauce
The twist here: a sprinkle of fresh tarragon.
Get the recipe: Linguine With Clam Sauce
Penne with Salmon, Arugula, and Chives
Try a pasta-and-salmon salad for a light, high-protein meal.
Get the recipe: Penne With Salmon, Arugula, and Chives
Shrimp Pasta Puttanesca
Shrimp gives even more heft to a filling puttanesca sauce.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Pasta Puttanesca
Pasta With Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Sauce
Spicy jalapeño gives this sauce an unexpected jolt.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Sauce
