Pasta is one of those weeknight heroes that always shows up when you need it most. Comforting, easy, and adaptable, it’s quick cooking, budget friendly, and shines with just a handful of ingredients, which makes it perfect for late summer when you’d rather be outside than hovering over the stove.
This collection rounds up simple, five-ingredient (or less) pasta dinners that let peak-season produce and pantry staples do the heavy lifting. From Fresh Tomato Pasta and One-Pot Caprese Orzo to Summer Tortellini Skillet, these recipes prove you don’t need much to get a seriously good bowl of pasta on the table.
01 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: 5-Ingredient Fresh Tomato Pasta
“The recipe comes together in around 15 minutes, since you make the sauce while the pasta is cooking and then toss everything together in the saucepan at the end. This is one of those riffable recipes that you can make your own, just don’t fuss over it too much; it should be nice and easy.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer
02 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: One-Pot Caprese Orzo
“Once the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, you’ll remove the pot from the heat and finish with some more tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella. I like to serve it with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, but that’s it!” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer
03 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: 5-Ingredient Summer Tortellini Skillet
“This recipe is flexible in terms of produce, so go ahead and use up whatever’s hanging around in your fridge. You can swap in yellow summer squash, bell peppers, onions, and any other quick-cooking veggies you have on hand.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer
04 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: 4-Ingredient Artichoke and Lemon Pasta
“This lemon artichoke pasta has just enough zip to wake up your senses. The quartered artichokes give the dish a bit of savoriness from their brine, breaking up the monotony of plain ol’ pasta. But the dish’s brightness comes from lemon juice, with just a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice.” —Amanda Blum, Recipe Developer
05 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Danielle Campbell
Get Recipe: Shrimp Pesto Pasta
“I made this recipe often for my clients as a private chef, and I was also told it was a kid favorite. All you need to make it are four key ingredients: some fresh basil pesto, thick-cut bacon, shrimp, and a box of your favorite curly pasta.” —Danielle Campbell, Recipe Developer
06 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
Get Recipe: Frittata di Pasta (Pasta Frittata)
“What I love most about this dish is how flexible it is. Sometimes I stir a spoonful of pesto straight into the skillet while the eggs and pasta set. You could also grate some lemon zest into the egg mixture for brightness, or if you love preserved lemons like I do, chop some up and throw them into the egg mixture.” —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
07 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
Get Recipe: Broccoli Pasta
“The key to this recipe is to cook the broccoli just enough so that it is soft enough to mash, but still retains its bright green flavor. If you are currently in a phase where green vegetables are a hard no (I see you!), feel free to use cauliflower instead.” —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer
08 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes
Get Recipe: One-Pan Ravioli With Sausage
“This recipe is the perfect example of minimalism, using just five ingredients, one pan, 15 minutes start to finish. The combination of cheesy ravioli, tender spinach, and meaty sausage keeps me coming back for more.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
09 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: Creamy Chili Crisp Pasta
“It’s a true comfort on nights when I don’t even want to dirty a cutting board, because it requires no chopping. The whole thing comes together while the pasta boils. All that’s left to do is serve up the steaming noodles with some extra spice or eat straight from the pan (which, let’s be honest, always tastes better).” —Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers
10 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens
“Tender wilted greens not only add color, but bulk up the pasta to turn it into a true one-pan dinner. This is a comforting, feel-good meal that’s fit for the busiest of weeknights.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer
11 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
Get Recipe: Easy Pasta Pomodoro
“Pomodoro means ‘tomato’ in Italian, so the main ingredient and flavor in Pasta Pomodoro is exactly that: fresh tomato. In this recipe, cherry tomatoes are pan-roasted with white wine, garlic, and basil to create a light yet luscious sauce to coat tender pasta.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
12 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
Get Recipe: Caramelized Cabbage Spaghetti
“This pasta dish has become a go-to weeknight pasta dish for those evenings when I don’t know what to cook. It’s super quick, only requires a handful of ingredients, is packed with vegetables, and everyone will eat it. What more could you ask for?” —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer
13 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman
Get Recipe: Quick Tomato Spinach Pasta
“In the realm of quick-cooking vegetables, baby spinach and cherry tomatoes reign supreme—hence why they are permanent fixtures of my grocery list and subsequently, my weeknight dinners. Which brings me to this ultra-easy veggie dinner. This tomato spinach pasta comes together in the time it takes to boil a box of pasta, and it’s likely you already have everything you need to make it right in your kitchen.” —Alexandra Shytsman, Recipe Developer
14 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong
Get Recipe: Polish Strawberry Pasta
“Crumbled farmer’s cheese is a classic addition to this dish, but it can be hard to find, and honestly, I use it so rarely that I don’t love buying a whole package. Feta cheese works great as a substitute, and the saltiness really balances out the sweetness of the sauce. Fresh mint is the perfect garnish for a beautiful, photo-worthy bowl of pasta.” —Jamie Anulewicz, Recipe Developer
15 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
Get Recipe: Creamy One-Pot Pasta With Zucchini
“The beauty of this recipe is that it all goes down in one pot. After the zucchini is caramelized, you’ll cook the pasta with cream cheese in just enough water for the pasta to cook without being left with a pool of liquid.” —Sara Tane, Recipe Developer
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