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    24 pasta recipes with a twist - quick suppers and simple salads

    Published: · Modified: by · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Whether you're after a quick midweek supper or a refreshing side for summer gatherings, this collection of easy pasta recipes with a twist has something for everyone. From dinners to salads, each of these 24 recipes brings a little something special to the table, whether it's a clever shortcut, a unique flavour combination or a time-saving trick!

    A collage of varrious pasta dishes.

    Pasta is one of those ingredients that never lets you down - it's quick to cook, budget-friendly and always a hit with the family. If I have a packet of pasta in my cupboard, I'm always sure of being able to get a tasty, nutritious meal on the table in no time.

    I've put together a round-up of 24 of my favourite easy pasta recipes, most of them with their own unique twist. You'll find 18 main meals and 6 delicious pasta salads that are perfect for summer lunches, braais or make-ahead sides. There's something here for every occasion and for every appetite.

    In the unlikely event that you don't find what you're looking for, you can visit my pasta recipes page, where you'll find even more delicious pasta recipes.

    Jump to:

    Easy suppers

    I've separated the recipes into easy suppers and tasty salads. There are 18 easy pasta supper recipes here, but if it's salads you're looking for, you can use this pasta salad link to jump directly to the easy pasta salad recipes section.

    1. Macaroni and cheese lasagne

    Overhead shot of a dish of macaroni and cheese lasagne.
    Macaroni and cheese lasagne
    Instead of making a traditional lasagna, layer creamy macaroni and cheese with tasty savoury ground beef before topping with grated cheese to make this delicious macaroni and cheese lasagne
    View recipe

    2. Cheesy garlic bread pasta bake

    A slice of garlic bread pasta bake being lifted from the dish.
    Cheesy garlic bread pasta bake
    Get the best of both worlds in one dish! Mac 'n' cheese in a crispy garlic bread pie crust!
    View recipe

    3. French onion beef mince stroganoff

    Overhead shot of a dish of french onion beef stroganoff.
    French onion minced beef stroganoff
    A delicious and easy spin-off of beef stroganoff using beef mince and a can of Heinz French onion soup! Add your favourite pasta shapes for a delicious meal-in-one-pan!
    View recipe

    4. Prawn and broccoli pasta with red pepper sauce

    Sauce-coated linguine wrapped around a fork in a dish of prawn and broccoli pasta.
    Prawn and broccoli pasta with red pepper sauce
    The red pepper (or capsicum) sauce is the star of the show in this creamy prawn and broccoli pasta. The creamy sweetness of the sauce pairs beautifully with the prawns and broccoli and coats the pasta perfectly! Serve over linguine for a delicious family supper.
    View recipe

    5. Roasted red pepper pasta with prawns

    Roasted red pepper pasta with prawns in a frying pan.
    Roasted red pepper pasta with prawns
    Another tasty prawn and pasta recipe using my delicious red pepper sauce, but instead of linguine I've used orzo pasta (otherwise known as rice noodla)!
    View recipe

    6. Macaroni cheese deluxe

    A serving dish of macaroni cheese next to a helping on a plate.
    Macaroni cheese deluxe
    Not your average dish of mac 'n cheese. This is a delicious macaroni and cheese bake packed with sliced German sausages and topped with golden melted cheese and sliced tomatoes.
    View recipe

    7. Creamy mussel pasta

    Close up view of a plate of creamy mussel pasta on a bed of linguine.
    Creamy mussel pasta
    One of my most popular recipes - this creamy mussel pasta is made in minutes using a packet of frozen mussel meat, with a delicious homemade garlic sauce. Grab a slice of crusty bread and tuck in!
    View recipe

    8. Creamy meatball stroganoff with mushrooms

    A helping of meatball stroganoff on a bed of tagliatelle.
    Creamy meatball stroganoff with mushrooms
    Everybody loves meatballs, And this creamy meatball stroganoff is sure to become a family favourite. Serve it over a bowl of tender tagliatelle or spaghetti to soak up the delicious mushroom sauce.
    View recipe

    9. Thai pork mince stirfry

    Overhead shot of a dish of Thai pork mince stir fry with a dish of noodles.
    Thai pork mince stirfry
    Italy meets Thailand in this fusion bolognese dish! Add some green beans to a dish of tasty pork mince cooked with lots of Thai flavours for a dish that simply explodes with flavour.
    View recipe

    10. Cheesy bully beef pasta bake

    Overhead shot of a dish of corned beef pasta bake.
    Cheesy bully beef pasta bake
    If you've got some grated cheese, a can of bully beef and a few pantry staples, you can be tucking into this delicious cheesy bully beef pasta bake in to time.
    View recipe

    11. Fresh mussels with pasta

    Closeup of plate of fresh mussels with pasta in a spicy tomato sauce.
    Fresh mussels with pasta in homemade tomato sauce
    Fresh mussels, lightly steamed in my homemade spicy tomato sauce before being combined with cream. Serve over linguine for an easy meal that feels really special.
    View recipe

    12. Salmon and broccoli pasta

    Salmon and broccoli pasta in a frying pan.
    Salmon and broccoli pasta
    Tasty poached salmon fillets in a creamy dill-infused sauce with broccoli, peas and mushrooms. The poaching liquid is used to form the base for the sauce, to intensify the delicious salmon flavours of the dish.
    View recipe

    13. Meatball stuffed pasta shells

    A baking dish filled with jumbo pasta shells and meatballs, covered with homemade tomato sauce.
    Meatball stuffed jumbo pasta shells
    Jumbo pasta shells, each stuffed with a juicy meatball and all smothered in a tasty homemade tomato sauce. This is my delicious take on a humble dish of spaghetti and meatballs!
    View recipe

    14. Easy chicken and vegetable pasta bake

    A baked dish of cheesy chicken and vegetable pasta.
    Easy cheesy chicken and vegetable pasta bake
    Turn some shredded chicken and whatever vegetables you happen to have available into a tasty cheesy pasta bake for an easy effortless midweek meal.
    View recipe

    15. Pasta pescatore

    A forkful of linguine over a bowl of pasta pescatone.
    Pasta pescatore (easy seafood pasta)
    This Italian-inspired seafood dish uses frozen seafood mix and frozen prawns cooked in a sauce made with blended tomatos, onions, chilli and garlic, and is ready in no time!
    View recipe

    16. Ham and mushroom tagliatelle

    Ham and mushroom tagliatelle in a dish on a table with a few mushrooms in the background.
    Ham and mushroom tagliatelle with black pepper sauce
    I originally found this reciipe in a magazine as a dipping sauce for potato wedges! Over the years, I've adapted it into this delicious pasta sauce!
    View recipe

    17. Cheesy mince pasta

    Cheesy mince pasta in a large pan with a spoon.
    Cheesy mince pasta
    A basic one-pan pasta dish made with beef mince, mushrooms. tomatoes, onions and a few seasonings. The pasta is cooked in the same pot, so it soaks up all the yummy flavours. This is the easiest dish in the world to cook - you don't even have to make a cheese sauce - just stir in a handful of grated cheese at the end!
    View recipe

    18. Creamy garlic mushroom chicken

    A blue plate of chicken with creamy garlic and mushroom sauce with tomatoes and garlic bread in the background.
    Creamy garlic mushroom chicken
    With an entire punnet of mushrooms blended to a paste, a copious amount of cream and garlic and tender pieces of chicken, this creamy garlic mushroom chicken is something you'll be making time and time again.
    View recipe

    Tasty pasta salads

    I love making pasta salads - they are so tasty and leftovers are always great for lunch the next day! Here are 6 easy and tasty pasta salads to serve at your next bbq or al fresco garden party!

    19. Crab and roasted red pepper pasta salad

    Overhead shot of a creamy crab and roasted pepper pasta salad. The salad is in a white bowl and is surrounded by dishes of other salads and a platter of cold meat.
    Creamy crab and roasted red pepper pasta salad
    With a jar of roasted red peppers, a can of crab meat and a few other pantry staples, you can have this tasty salad on the table in less than half an hour. Serve it as a light supper or as a side dish as your next BBQ!
    View recipe

    20. Imitation crab salad - 2 ways

    A dish of imitation crab salat with a large wooden serving spoon.
    Imitation crab salad - 2 ways
    Two delicious salads using imitation crab sticks - because everyone loves a shortcut!
    View recipe

    21. Tuna noodle salad with lemon

    Close up of tuna noodle salad
    Tuna noodle salad with lemon
    How to turn a can of tuna into the most amazing noodle salad! Combine it with orzo pasta, add frozen peas for sweetness and red pepper for crunch and smother it all in a tangy Marie Rose sauce. Simples!
    View recipe

    22. Tomato and onion pasta salad

    A dish of cheesy barbeque pasta sprinkled with chopped parsley.
    Tomato and onion pasta salad in a cheese sauce
    I make no apologies for admitting that I pinched this recipe from my late step-mother! It's an absolute winner and the first dish I think of making when I know we're having a BBQ! The creamy cheese sauce combines perfectly with the softened tomatoes and onions and tender pasta.
    View recipe

    23. Salmon and red pepper pasta salad

    A bowl of salmon and red pepper pasta salad, sprinkled with chopped parsley.
    Salmon and red pepper pasta salad with corn
    Another salad using a jar of red peppers! But they are so tasty and pair beautifully with salmon! Add a can of sweetcorn for little pops of sweetness, and smother it all in a tasty mayonnaise and sour cream dressing and you have another winner on your hands!
    View recipe

    24. Easy orzo pasta salad

    A white bowl of orzo pasta on a white plate.
    Easy orzo pasta salad
    I've combined finely chopped German sausages, mushrooms and pickled gherkins for this version of orzo pasta salad, but to be honest you can chop and change the ingredients to suit whatever you have in your cupboard! I love eating the leftovers the next day for lunch with a slice of crusty bread.
    View recipe

    Save for later

    If you would like to try these pasta dishes, why not save this post to one of your Pinterest boards so you can find it easily? Just click on the image below.

    Alternatively, you can save it by clicking on the floating heart icon on the right-hand side of the screen.

    Not really related, but I thought you might like a tasty dessert to round off your meal. These are light desserts that are perfect for enjoying after a heavy meal. You can find other tasty desserts on my cakes, biscuits and dessert recipes page.

    I hope you enjoyed this collection of easy pasta recipes. I publish new recipes every week, and you can grab yourself a copy of my free e-book simply by subscribing to my email where I let you know whenever I publish a new recipe. Click the link below to subscribe - you can unsubscribe at any time!

    If you made this recipe and enjoyed it, I'd love it if you could give me a star rating in the comments below. And if you'd like to get in touch, you can email me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you. And don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list so you can grab yourself a copy of my FREE COOKBOOK!

    If you'd like to continue browsing, just click on this link to all my recipes.

    More Pasta recipes

    About VJ

    Before I started my food blog I was an IT Consultant. Now that I've swapped an office for a kitchen I have a lot more time to spend on things that interest me such as trying out new recipes. Most of my cooking is based around quick and easy meals, mostly made from scratch, using everyday pantry ingredients.

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