The weeknight mvp: 17 pasta dishes guaranteed to get compliments

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You know how weeknights can be a scramble, right? Well, pasta is our weeknight hero, saving dinner with its quick and tasty magic. These 17 pasta dishes are not just easy; they’re so good, that your family and friends will be dishing out compliments left and right. Trust me, with these weeknight MVPs on your table, you’re all set for some serious praise!

Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage in a serving bowl with tomatoes in the background.
Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re in the mood for something hearty, Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta has got you covered. This dish is a weeknight MVP, mixing spicy sausage with slightly bitter broccoli rabe for a kick of flavor. It’s a standout meal that’s easy to make and bound to get you compliments by the time you’re done.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Fork lifting a serving of cheesy cheeseburger casserole garnished with parsley.
The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When you can’t decide between a burger or pasta, The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole is there to save your weeknight. It’s the MVP that brings the best of both worlds to your dinner table. Quick to prepare and a crowd-pleaser, you’ll be basking in the glow of compliments before you know it.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Baked Feta Pasta

Side view of baked feta pasta on a plate.
Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ever tried Baked Feta Pasta? It’s a weeknight MVP that’s as easy as it is delicious. Just toss it in the oven and wait for the magic to happen. It’s creamy, tangy, and absolutely irresistible. This dish is a surefire way to light up your dinner and rake in the compliments without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

A lasagna being dished up.
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s nothing like a slice of Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna to make a weeknight feel special. It’s the weeknight MVP that layers comfort with every forkful. This dish isn’t just tasty; it’s a hug on a plate, and your family will be all praises by the time they ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Salmon Pasta Salad

Salmon pasta salad in a black bowl with forks nearby.
Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

For a lighter take on dinner, Salmon Pasta Salad is your weeknight MVP. It’s refreshing, full of flavor, and just what you need for a quick, satisfying meal. Whip this up, and watch as the compliments start coming in, proving you don’t need hours to create a hit dish.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Imagine your slow cooker doing all the work on a hectic day. That’s what Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is for. It’s your weeknight MVP, bringing that cozy restaurant vibe to your home. It’s easy, it’s tasty, and it’s a comfort dish that’s bound to get everyone at the table talking.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Steak & Pasta Salad

Overheat shot of steakhouse pasta salad.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

For those evenings when you’re craving something hearty yet refreshing, Steak & Pasta Salad is your weeknight MVP. This dish is a powerhouse, combining the richness of steak with the lightness of a pasta salad. It’s the perfect balance for a satisfying meal that doesn’t feel too heavy. Plus, it’s a breeze to throw together, which is always a win on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese

Macaroni pasta bathed in melty cheese sauce with breadcrumb topping.
School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese isn’t just any mac and cheese; it’s your weeknight MVP, bringing back those nostalgic, tasty vibes. It’s the comfort food you need after a long day, simple yet delicious. This dish is a throwback that’s sure to get rave reviews at your dinner table, making your evening a breeze.
Get the Recipe: School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese

Ramen Chicken Noodles

Keto Ramen Chicken Noodles in a black bowl with various vegetables and boiled egg.
Ramen Chicken Noodles. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

When you’re rushing on a weeknight, Ramen Chicken Noodles are your MVP. They’re quick, filling, and everyone loves them. Halfway through the week, this dish is a savior, blending easy ramen with tasty chicken. It’s a simple winner, so expect some compliments when you serve this up on a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Chicken Noodles

Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Ricotta and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl.
Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Try Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes for a weeknight MVP that’s simple yet surprisingly flavorful. It’s a go-to for when you want something quick but impressive, a dish that’s bound to get nods of approval across the table. By the meal’s end, you’ll be the evening’s star chef.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

pasta aglio olio e peperoncino is mixed with a black pasta fork.
Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is the ultimate weeknight MVP for garlic lovers. It’s simple, it’s quick, and it’s deliciously effective. With this dish, you’re not just serving dinner; you’re delivering a garlicky, spicy delight that’ll earn you compliments in no time.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Baked palmini with feta in a light blue casserole.
Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

On a busy night, Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta stands out as the weeknight MVP. It’s not your ordinary pasta; it’s lighter and paired with tangy feta, making it a standout dish. Serve this, and you’re in for some praise. It’s the kind of meal that makes a weeknight feel a bit more special without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi

Roasted Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi with peas and parmesan.
Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi is your go-to when you want something quick yet indulgent on a weeknight. This dish is a champion, with its soft gnocchi and flavorful butter. Whip this up, and watch it become the MVP of your weeknight meals, bringing smiles and satisfaction to the table without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi

Dan Dan Noodles

A plate of keto noodles with meat and vegetables.
Dan Dan Noodles. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Spice up your weeknight with Dan Dan Noodles, the MVP that’s all about bold flavors and quick prep. This dish is a game-changer, perfect for when you want something a bit different. By the end of the meal, expect everyone to be raving about your kitchen skills.
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles

Beef Yakisoba

Beef yakisoba noodles with veggies and pickled ginger.
Beef Yakisoba. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Need a fast and tasty weeknight option? Beef Yakisoba is your go-to MVP, mixing savory flavors with easy prep. It’s the kind of meal that brings a bit of excitement to your dinner table, and you’ll be collecting those compliments before you’ve even cleared the plates.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yakisoba

Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta

Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

If you’re looking to shake things up on pasta night, give Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta a try. It’s your weeknight MVP, bringing a nutty twist to the table. Easy to whip up and packed with flavor, it’s a surefire way to get those compliments rolling in halfway through your meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta

Easy Four Cheese Stuffed Shells

A cast iron pan filled with stuffed shells covered in cheese and a white sauce.
Easy Four Cheese Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Who doesn’t love cheese? Easy Four Cheese Stuffed Shells are here to be your weeknight MVP, loaded with cheesy goodness. It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone smile, easy to make and even easier to love. You’ll be basking in compliments before the dinner’s even over.
Get the Recipe: Easy Four Cheese Stuffed Shells

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