Easy
Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Fettuccine tossed in a quick butter and cream sauce with peppered shrimp and parsley. One skillet, about 25 minutes, and the sauce clings to every noodle.
25 min4 servings
DinnerPastaShrimp
15 Budget Pasta Dinners
Pasta is the ultimate budget ingredient. Fifteen pasta dinners that cost almost nothing.
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15 recipesBrowse Cheap Family Dinners Under $10 →
Easy
Vietnamese Grilled Pork Chops
Caramelized Vietnamese pork chops marinated in fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. Grill until charred and glossy — serve over rice with nuoc cham for an easy weeknight dinner.
35 min4 servings
DinnerHigh ProteinBudget
Easy
Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta with spinach — a restaurant-style pasta dinner in 30 minutes.
30 min4 servings
DinnerPastaChicken
Easy
Hawaiian Chicken Pasta
Sweet-savory Hawaiian chicken pasta with pineapple and bell peppers — a family pasta dinner in 30 minutes.
30 min4 servings
DinnerPastaChicken
Easy
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta — a kid-friendly pasta dinner ready in 25 minutes.
25 min4 servings
DinnerPastaChicken
Easy
Meatball Pasta Dinner
Juicy beef meatballs simmered in marinara over spaghetti — classic easy pasta dinner comfort food.
40 min5 servings
DinnerPastaBeef
Easy
Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Creamy chicken alfredo pasta with tender chicken and fettuccine — an easy pasta dinner ready in 30 minutes.
30 min4 servings
DinnerPastaChicken
Easy
One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Orzo
Creamy lemon chicken and orzo cooked in one skillet — a cozy one-pan dinner with minimal dishes.
35 min4 servings
DinnerOne PanChicken
Easy
Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes
Smoky sausage roasted with potatoes and peppers on one pan — easy cleanup for busy weeknights.
40 min4 servings
DinnerOne PanSheet Pan
Easy
Chicken Pesto Penne
Easy chicken pasta dinner with basil pesto and juicy chicken — ready in 25 minutes.
25 min4 servings
DinnerPastaChicken
Easy
One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Creamy one-pot pasta with garlic and Parmesan — minimal dishes, maximum comfort for pasta night.
25 min4 servings
DinnerPastaOne Pot
Easy
Penne alla Vodka
Creamy tomato-vodka sauce coats penne in 30 minutes — a restaurant favorite that is easy enough for weeknight pasta dinner.
30 min4 servings
DinnerPastaKid Friendly
Easy
Baked Feta Pasta
The viral one-pan dinner — cherry tomatoes and a block of feta roast until jammy, then toss with pasta for a creamy, tangy sauce. Still one of the most-shared recipes on Instagram.
45 min4 servings
DinnerInstagram ViralVegetarian
Easy
Nuoc Cham
Vietnamese dipping sauce with fish sauce, lime, sugar, and chile. Bright and addictive with spring rolls, bun bowls, and grilled meats.
5 min8 servings
Sauces SpreadsQuickBudget
Easy
Gochujang Mayo
Creamy Korean chili mayo with gochujang, sesame, and lime. An instant upgrade for bibimbap, fried chicken, burgers, and fries.
5 min8 servings
Sauces SpreadsQuickBudget
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest pasta dinner?
Aglio e olio (garlic and oil), pasta with canned tomatoes, and butter noodles cost under $1 per serving.
How do I shop the ingredients for these recipes?
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