12 simple pasta recipes

When it comes to chunky sauces, look for a ribbed, tube pasta to capture the bits. This protein-packed number is great packed in a Thermos the next day. Get the recipe: Sausage, Kale and White Bean Rigatoni

Tortellini is just plain fun to say. But this cheese-filled nood isn’t messing around. Thanks to store-bought fresh pasta and a simple sauce of passata, basil and spinach, you’ve got dinner on the table in just 25 minutes. Get the recipe: Speedy Tortellini

Give vegan a chance. This recipe doesn’t use any fake cheese to get that classic orange mac-and-cheese feel, it comes from butternut squash and chickpeas. Hidden veggies, folks! Add in some nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavour. Get the recipe: Chickpea Mac and “Cheese”

No formal attire necessary for this fancy dish. Our fave noodle shape is lounging in a sauce with chicken and asparagus. The addition of dill is a nice touch. Get the recipe: Creamy Chicken and Bow-Tie Pasta

Broad noodles + salty prosciutto + in-season peas + ricotta cheese = dinner tonight. Get the recipe: Spring Pea Pasta

Get the recipe: Shrimp & Arugula Rotini With Ready Pasta

Something magical happens when you whisk an egg, Parmesan cheese and cream. A thick but not-too-rich sauce forms that perfectly coats long noodles and slices of salty bacon. Get the recipe: Pasta Carbonara

This isn’t your traditional pesto. To make this secretly veggie-packed pasta, whirl up kale and frozen edamame for a quick and easy protein boost. You’ve got fresh sauce in 25 minutes! Get the recipe: Kale Pesto

Take your fajita recipe out of the wrap and into the pan with this noodle-y new spin. Get the recipe: Fajita Pasta

The Italian translation for this dish is simply cheese and pepper. Delicious and completely fuss-free. Get the recipe: Zucchini Cacio e Pepe

This pasta dish is like the Italian flag come to life and it’s got everything you want: green veggies, the sweet pop of cherry tomatoes and salty, crispy bacon to finish. Dare you not to slurp. Get the recipe: One-Pan Creamy Bacon, Broccoli and Tomato Pasta

Cauliflower is the great chameleon in this dish. It helps to thicken up the alfredo sauce, making it rich without a lot of cream. Now, don’t get smug when your kids ask for seconds. Get the recipe: Cauliflower Fettuccine Alfredo

Read more:
10 vegetarian meals packed with protein How to make pasta like a pro 16 recipes with hidden veggies