In the pantheon of cheap and delicious meals, pasta sits pretty high on the list. Luckily, I’ve got some cheap pasta recipes in my back pocket that I’d like to share with you.
Buy it dry, keep it in your pantry for months on end, and have it on hand when you really need it.
What’s not to love? Unfortunately, many recipes pile on expensive ingredients that crank up the budget of the meal in the name of making it delicious.
A noble pursuit, but when you’re working with a budget, taste needs to come a little cheaper. Dive in with me as we explore thirty-one cheap pasta recipes to round out your meal rotation.
1. Chicken Zucchini Pasta
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 327
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 3.6g
• Sugar: 20g
First up, one of the best ways to enjoy a protein-rich meal for cheap is to use a lean, affordable protein. In this case, we’re reaching for chicken.
I use this recipe all the time, thanks to its nutrient density. The zucchini soaks up flavor like a sponge, while the pasta and sauce are the perfect vehicle for creamy deliciousness.
2. Vegan Creamy Pasta
Source: zardyplants.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 222
• Fats: 5.2g
• Protein: 7.5g
• Carbs: 36.1g
• Fiber:
• Sugar: 1.3g
Speaking of creamy deliciousness, here’s another option for you! Getting vegan pasta to be creamy can be a little bit of a challenge, but once you’ve got the knack, you’re good.
This recipe takes no more than twenty minutes to prepare! Customize with your favorite toppings to create a signature dish of your own.
3. Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Source: shesnotcookin.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 190
• Fats: 9.7g
• Protein: 5.3g
• Carbs: 22.1g
• Fiber: 1.1g
• Sugar: 2.2g
Take a trip to the Italian countryside with the next recipe on this list: lemon, garlic, and parmesan pasta. This is a great last-minute recipe to have in your back pocket.
You only need about twenty minutes to make it happen and just a few simple ingredients on hand.
4. One Pot Taco Spaghetti
Source: groundbeefrecipes.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 554
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 38g
• Carbs: 49g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g
Searching for a meal that has some protein-rich red meat? You can’t go wrong with ground beef pasta for cost-effectiveness!
The thing I love about this pasta is that it blends flavors from two distinct places in the world. Mexico and Italy fuse into the ultimate comfort food dish in just half an hour. What’s not to love?
This is one of the easiest high protein dinner ideas!
5. White Bean Pasta
Source: hungryhealthyhappy.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 395
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 90g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sugar: 12g
Cheap, simple, and delicious, this white bean pasta is an absolute must-try for budget-conscious cooks.
The secret to making this as good as possible is to be liberal with your spices!
Dried herbs and balsamic vinegar brighten this dish plenty. It’s perfect for enjoying with a slice of garlic bread.
6. Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Pasta
Source: theliveinkitchen.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 238
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 38g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 3g
When you’re low on ingredients and need something nutritious, this recipe is the one for you. This is a super simple vegetarian pasta dish that’s mostly hands-off to prepare.
Not only does it save you money, but it also saves you time and energy. Rather than staying stuck over the stove on a busy weeknight, enjoy some well-earned relaxation!
If you are looking for low calorie dinner ideas, this is a great choice!
7. 10 Minute Cream Cheese Pasta
Source: hungryhealthyhappy.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 549
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 52g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
When it comes to quick and easy pasta dishes, cream cheese is one of my favorite ingredients to work with. Not only does it make everything extra creamy, but it’s also packed with protein!
This dish only takes ten minutes to prepare (hence the name), which means it has a special place in my heart. Once you try it, I’m sure it will have one in yours too.
8. Vegan Creamy Chickpea Pasta with Spinach
Source: plantbasedandbroke.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 436
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 60g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 4g
Boost your protein and vitamin intake with this simple take on a creamy pasta dish. Thanks to the coconut milk at the base of this sauce, this dish is vegan-friendly and super mellow.
Perfect for winter nights spent indoors with the family, this is a crowd-pleaser you’re sure to love.
9. Tuna Pasta with Mayo
Source: canadiancookingadventures.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 1210
• Fats: 87g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbs: 81g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 18g
Sometimes, all we have in the pantry is a can of tuna and some gumption. Well, you can make a delicious recipe with little more than tuna and some dried spaghetti!
The key? Mayonnaise and pickles. Rich with creamy mayonnaise and scattered with pickles, this tasty dish is great as a side or your main.
10. Vegan Bolognese
Source: delightfuladventures.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 529
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 101g
• Fiber: 18g
• Sugar: 10g
Vegan Bolognese remains one of my favorite recipes because of how easy it is to prepare.
It’s cheaper than the ground beef alternative and just as delicious, with even more protein per serve!
In other words, there’s absolutely no downside to this recipe. Did I mention it only takes thirty minutes to make, too?
11. Chili Garlic Noodles
Source: callmepmc.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 684
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 109g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 16g
Chili garlic noodles are a blessing to humankind. When you’re strapped for both cash and time, you can use a few simple ingredients to create one of the tastiest meals on earth.
After all, you can never go wrong with pairing chili and garlic.
12. Lemon Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti
Source: canadiancookingadventures.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 495
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 58g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 4g
Give spaghetti the treatment it deserves with this delicious trio of Italian-inspired ingredients. Lemon, parmesan, and garlic are all guaranteed to delight your tastebuds.
Not to mention, they’re affordable ingredients you can keep in the pantry for a long time. Great staples that create an even better dish.
13. One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta with Spinach
Source: babaganosh.org
Per Serving:
• Calories: 334
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 34g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g
If you love one-pot meals as much as I do, then this recipe might be your favorite on the list! Packed with protein-rich mushrooms and spinach, this is essential knowledge for vegans.
Take just twenty minutes out of your day to prepare this meal. Seriously, just twenty minutes.
14. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 644
• Fats: 35g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 55g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 8g
White cheddar macaroni and cheese is like the extra-comforting, mellower version of the standard mac ‘n’ cheese. Creamy, warm, and easy to make, it’s a great last-minute dinner.
Enjoy this as a classic side dish at your next barbecue. It’s also great as a vegetarian main!
15. Butternut Squash Alfredo Pasta
Source: babaganosh.org
Per Serving:
• Calories: 463
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 3g
• Fiber:
• Sugar: 1g
One of the best ways to boost how many vegetables you’re eating is to hide them in your meals. Case in point: this butternut squash alfredo pasta.
Rather than a standard alfredo sauce, this dish calls for pureed butternut squash to be folded in. Rich, delicious, and affordable, this is a family-friendly dish for sure.
16. Paprika Pasta
Source: urbanblisslife.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 359
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 11g
• Carbs: 47g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 2g
If you’ve only got twenty minutes to spare and a hankering for pasta, then I’ve got the recipe for you.
This spice-rich pasta dish is vegetarian-friendly and ideal for busy weeknights.
Best of all, the sauce is super affordable to make. Great for meal planning or a last-minute meal.
17. Harissa Pasta
Source: theurbenlife.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 635
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 91g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
If you’re a fan of Middle Eastern and North African flavors, why not enjoy some delicious fusion? This harissa pasta is creamy and spicy and comes together with just four ingredients.
Top with your favorite vegetables or leave as-is for a delicious dish that will see you through even the busiest days.
18. Pasta with Peas
Source: thepetitecook.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 384
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 70g
• Fiber:
• Sugar:
Also known as Pasta e Piselli, this is an Italian dish hailing from Naples. Impress and delight your dinner guests without breaking the bank that’s to this one-pot meal.
Quick and easy on a weeknight, this is the ultimate versatile pasta dish.
19. Pink Sauce Pasta
Source: veronikaskitchen.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 268
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 13g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 9g
We’ve all seen the viral pink sauce pasta, so here’s a version that tastes as good as it looks! Rich with crushed tomatoes and a splash of milk for creaminess and color, this is delicious.
Not to mention, it comes together in twenty minutes total. What’s not to love?
20. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Source: thefreshcooky.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 611
• Fats: 31g
• Protein: 33g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 3g
Combine some of your favorite comforting flavors into a game-day pasta dish everyone will be salivating over. This is an ideal potluck or picnic recipe for a hot summer day.
In fact, try making this high protein salad a day ahead of your event to let the flavors mingle and become even tastier.
21. Baked Rigatoni
Source: thefeatherednester.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 547
• Fats: 29g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 44g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g
Keep your weeknight comfort meal simple and deliciously addictive with this baked rigatoni meal. Packed with high-protein ground sausage, this is filling and affordable.
Best of all, you can make a large batch and store your leftovers to enjoy the next day. It’s two meals in one!
22. Parmesan Garlic Linguine
Source: savoryexperiments.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 756
• Fats: 34g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 89g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
I’m sorry. Can anyone else hear the sound of an insanely easy pasta dish coming down the line? I sure can. Here’s to this parmesan and garlic linguine!
Nonnas everywhere will be nodding in approval once you set this down on the table. Best of all, it just takes twenty-five minutes to prepare.
23. Tomato Coconut Pasta
Source: blendwithspices.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 526
• Fats: 37g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 9g
Tomato and coconut is a unique combination when it comes to pasta, but I happen to think it deserves a bit more love. Especially because it’s cheap, tasty, and vegan-friendly!
Whip up this weeknight-friendly meal in just twenty-five minutes to the sounds of applause from your delighted family members.
24. Red Pesto Pasta
Source: agrillforallseasons.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 229.9
• Fats: 7.4g
• Protein: 7.6g
• Carbs: 34.2g
• Fiber: 2.7g
• Sugar: 4.6g
We’ve all heard of green pesto, but what about its rich, red cousin? Featuring blitzed sundried tomatoes and plenty of parmesan, this is a super-rich dish hiding behind a fresh façade.
Whip up the pesto ahead of time to save yourself some energy on the day of. It’s also great on crackers or sandwiches.
25. Chili Mac
Source: beanrecipes.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 243
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 4g
The only thing better than stovetop chili is stovetop chili with pasta in it. Luckily, it’s just as easy to make! This cheap and easy meal is great for meal prepping or weeknight comfort food.
Trust me. Once you make this, your family will be requesting it all the time.
26. Pumpkin Sage Pasta
Source: thedizzycook.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 578
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 88g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 4g
Sneak some extra vegetables into your diet with this restaurant-worthy meal. Requiring only ten ingredients and half an hour of your time, this is great for weeknights and dinner parties alike.
Sprinkle with a hefty handful of dried sage to really drive these flavors home.
This is one of the best healthy fall dinner recipes!
27. One Pot Hummus Pasta
Source: pipercooks.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 560
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 93g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 7g
One-pot pastas are the glue that holds our schedules together, especially on busy weeks. Case in point: this one-pot hummus pasta.
Featuring leafy greens and protein-rich hummus, this is a balanced meal you can whip together in mere minutes.
Best of all, you can customize the type of hummus you use to keep things interesting.
28. Pizza Pasta Bake
Source: thissillygirlskitchen.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 522
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 48g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g
We all know the strength of pizza cravings when they strike. Sometimes, it’s best to compromise rather than deny them altogether.
Enter this delicious pizza pasta recipe. With all your favorite pizza toppings mixed into one delicious bowl of pasta, I defy you to find a better way to spend your evening.
29. 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese
Source: hauteandhealthyliving.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 314
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 15g
• Carbs: 34g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 5g
The only thing better than macaroni and cheese is macaroni and cheese, which only needs five ingredients.
Luckily for us, talented home cooks exist, and so super simple mac and cheese does too!
Introducing the dish that’s sure to become a family favorite: a twenty-minute mac and cheese that costs half as much to make.
30. Bacon Pesto Pasta
Source: thissillygirlskitchen.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 491
• Fats: 28g
• Protein: 15g
• Carbs: 44g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g
If you’re a fan of bacon, then you know it makes everything taste better. Heck, you could put it on ice cream if you wanted to.
You’ll also enjoy these other yummy 500 calorie meals!
31. Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
Source: wowitsveggie.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 200
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 22g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g
Finally, let’s cap off our list with a ten-minute pasta recipe every home cook (vegan or not) needs to know. All you need is pumpkin, pasta, and a speedy spell in the kitchen.
The pumpkin makes this meal rich in protein and very nutritious. In combination with the taste, there’s really no downside here.
And there you have it! Thirty-one delicious pasta recipes that won’t break the bank (but will entice your tastebuds).
From protein-rich vegan recipes to Italian classics, there’s a huge number of different pasta dishes you can run with. Customize, adapt, and find your signature pasta dish!
Do you have a go-to cheap pasta recipe you can whip out when costs are going up? Let me know in the comments below, I’m always looking for new recipes to try.