13 Recipes That Turn Basic Pasta Into Dinner Everyone Wants Seconds Of

Everyone loves pasta, but making the same dish over and over gets old. These 13 recipes mix things up without making dinner complicated. No extra stress, no fancy techniques—just simple meals that make it hard to stop at one plate. If leftovers aren’t a thing after this meal, you’ll know it was a good one.

A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, feta and kalamata olives. — Greek Spaghetti. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Top-down shot of Tuna Noodle Casserole on a dish with a small portion on a black plate. — Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

If you’re in the mood for a comforting blast from the past, why not twist some noodles with tuna into something special? It’s a simple joy that turns a pantry staple into a meal that feels like a warm hug. It’s all about transforming humble ingredients into a dish that has stood the test of time, Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole. Gather around the table for this heartening classic that might just remind you of dinner at grandma’s. And there’s always room for seconds with a casserole this popular.
Get the Recipe: Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Two black cast iron pans filled with mac and cheese sit on cork trivets on a white wooden surface. — Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Mac and cheese is a timeless dish that doesn’t need a lot of fuss to steal the show. Real cheese melted into perfect harmony with pasta creates the crowd-pleaser known as Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese. It’s the ultimate dish when you’re craving something familiar yet utterly satisfying. Settle in for an evening of cheesy goodness that everyone will want to dig into again and again.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Italian Pot Roast Pasta

With chunks of tender meat tangled in pasta, it makes for an unexpected twist on Sunday dinner. There’s something about this rustic and robust dish, known as Italian Pot Roast Pasta, that calls for gatherings and good conversation. So grab a fork, twirl some richness onto it, and get ready to ask for round two. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’s hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pot Roast Pasta

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Have you ever slurped up a soup that just made you feel at home? A bowl brimming with pasta and beans, it’s more than soup—it’s a comfort in a bowl. Taking the humblest ingredients, this dish, Pasta e Fagioli Soup, turns them into a reason to gather ’round the table. It’s a hearty, wholesome meal that fills you up and warms you from the inside out. So cozy up with a bowl and taste every spoonful—there’s plenty to go around.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Steak & Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with a pasta salad containing farfalle, steak slices, radishes, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, nuts, and crumbled blue cheese, garnished with parsley, on a wooden board next to a spoon. — Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Let’s talk about a dish that marries the robust flavor of steak with the lightness of pasta in a salad. It’s an ideal pick for when you want something that feels both indulgent and refreshing. Juicy slices of steak add a tasty punch to the twirls of pasta, making Steak & Pasta Salad a standout. Perfect for when you need a dish that’s gratifying but still leaves you wanting more. It’s the kind of meal that hits the spot without weighing you down.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Beefy Lasagna Soup

Craving lasagna but not the effort that goes into layering it? There’s a soup that brings all those beloved flavors into your bowl with ease. Think of it as a deconstructed version, layered in flavor instead of ingredients, and meet Beefy Lasagna Soup. It’s all the comfort of the classic, with half the work and double the slurp. Go ahead, have a spoonful and you’ll be lining up for a second serving of this hearty concoction.
Get the Recipe: Beefy Lasagna Soup

Salmon Pasta Salad

Imagine brightening up your meal with the light, flaky texture of salmon tossed with pasta. It’s all about balance; fresh-flavored and nourishing, creating a meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent. Dive fork-first into this dish, Salmon Pasta Salad, and you’ll find it’s just as good for a dinner as it is for tomorrow’s lunch. Freshness meets heartiness in a way that just makes sense. It’s the kind of salad that could easily become a weekly craving.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Cajun Pasta with Shrimp

Fancy a little kick in your meal? Bring some Southern charm to your dinner table with a pasta dish that’s got a bit of a spicy attitude. It’s the kind of meal that’s both lively and filling, and Cajun Pasta with Shrimp is bound to get some oohs and aahs. Perfect for when you want a bit of gusto in your grub, without going overboard. And it’s a given that you’ll be scooping up seconds before you’ve even finished the first.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Pasta with Shrimp

Pesto Orzo Salad

Orzo salad resting on a dark plate. — Pesto Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Now, here’s a fresh take that lightens up your pasta cravings without compromising on flavor. With its tiny rice-shaped pasta, it’s a side that feels both fancy and unpretentious. Whether you’re potlucking or just need a break from the ordinary, enter Pesto Orzo Salad. It’s the kind of simple, yet complex-flavored dish that works for any occasion. Plus, it’s great for when you want a pasta dish that’s just a little out of the box.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast Pasta

A hand holds a fork with Italian Pot Roast Pasta in a white bowl, topped with grated cheese and herbs. — Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast Pasta. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

There’s no denying the magic a slow cooker can work on a meal. Combining the patience of slow cooking with the love for Italian flavors gives you a dish that’s tender, tasty, and comforting. Let your kitchen appliance do the heavy lifting and discover the beauty of Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast Pasta. It’s a meal that gives you the freedom to set it, forget it, and then tuck into something deeply aromatic and gratifying.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast Pasta

Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken

Tortellini soup with kale and chicken in a bowl. — Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Soup’s on, and this time it’s more than just broth and veggies. Imagine bobbing tortellini parcels delivering cheesy goodness in every spoonful, paired with the heartiness of chicken and the nutritious kick of kale. Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken is what you reach for when you want a soup that eats like a meal. It’s full of textures and flavors that complement one another in the most delicious way.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Giant Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells in two black serving dishes. — Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Now, who wouldn’t be intrigued by the promise of giant pasta shells oozing with cheese? This is the dish that takes stuffed pasta to new heights, turning a simple meal into a cheesy spectacle. Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells is a dish that never fails to impress, whether you’re feeding a family or hosting a friend. It’s the ultimate expression of pasta, cheese, and sauce in harmonious abundance. Brace yourself for the inevitable calls for more—it’s just that good.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Greek Spaghetti

Twine your fork into a dish that takes you on a Mediterranean foray without leaving your dining room. We’re talking about a pasta meal that combines familiar comfort with the brightness of Greek-inspired flavors. Greek Spaghetti is simple yet exceptionally gratifying with its unique twist on an everyday classic. It’s perfect for times when you’re looking to change up your pasta game. One bite and you’ll be convinced that this needs to become part of your meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti