These flavorful 5-ingredient pasta recipes pack just as much punch with fewer ingredients and less time spent in the kitchen.
You Need These 5-Ingredient Pasta Recipes in Your Dinner Rotation
Updated on May 13, 2024
Cheddar Spirals
Our kids always loved this cheesy, 5-ingredient pasta recipe and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin
1/15
2/15
Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone
Total Time
18 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don’t have a lot of time to cook, this sausage tortellini skillet recipe is fast and yummy. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 637 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 1040mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein.
3/15
Penne with Kale and Onion
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love kale; my husband hates it. But when I swapped it into a favorite penne-with-spinach recipe, it was so delicious, he asked for seconds! —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 189 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1.500 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
4/15
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 389 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
5/15
Parmesan Fettuccine
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fettuccine recipe is such a simple side dish. With just four ingredients, it’s ready in no time for a taste that’s sure to please the entire family. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Lousiana
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 359 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
6/15
Easy Stuffed Shells
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I threw this easy 5-ingredient pasta recipe together one day when we had unexpected guests. It was an immediate hit and is now a family favorite. Get the kids involved when putting together this simple, savory dish. —Dolores Betchner, Cudahy, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3 stuffed shells: 334 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 711mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein.
7/15
Tortellini Carbonara
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bacon, cream and Parmesan cheese make a classic pasta sauce that’s absolutely heavenly. It’s a delightful option for company! —Cathy Croyle, Davidsville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 527 calories, 36g fat (20g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 728mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
8/15
Garlic-Buttered Pasta
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best garlic butter sauce for pasta. Guests always leave a spot for it on their plates. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho.
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 401 calories, 25g fat (15g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
9/15
Pressure-Cooker Smoked Salmon Pasta
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making one-pot pastas in my pressure cooker. Every noodle soaks up the flavors of the delicious ingredients. I tried a version with some leftover smoked fish and fresh dill, and boom—this smoked salmon pasta was born. It’s now a staple in our house because the dish is on the table in a half hour and the kids love it! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 322 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
10/15
Warm Chicken Tortellini Au Gratin
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite recipes. Pasta from Monday plus roasted chicken from Tuesday equals this delicious dish on Wednesday. It’s fast and delicious, and paired with a green salad and toasty bread, you have a meal that’s fancy enough for company. —Brenda Cole, Reisterstown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 709 calories, 54g fat (13g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 859mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein.
11/15
12/15
Shrimp Alfredo
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Instead of buying a jar of sauce, make it from scratch for this easy shrimp Alfredo recipe. The garlic aroma will call your family to the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 788 calories, 51g fat (31g saturated fat), 317mg cholesterol, 573mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein.
13/15
Ravioli Casserole
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The whole family will love the fun, cheesy flavor of this ravioli casserole. It’s like lasagna—without all the fuss! Timesaving ingredients, including prepared spaghetti sauce and frozen ravioli, hurry the preparation along. —Mary Ann Rothert, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 518 calories, 25g fat (12g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 1411mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein.
14/15
Sausage Spaghetti Spirals
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves this flavorful casserole with hearty chunks of sausage and green pepper. The recipe makes a big pan, so it’s nicely sized for a potluck. —Carol Carolton, Wheaton, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 592 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 1071mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein.
15/15
Lemon Parmesan Orzo
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A splash of lemon and a shower of chopped parsley make this 5-ingredient pasta one of my family’s most-requested sides. It’s fantastic with chicken, pork and fish. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 191 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 225mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 7g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
