10 Pasta Recipes That Take Less Than 20 Minutes

Pasta lovers rejoice! Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or just want a quick and satisfying meal, pasta is the ultimate go-to. With its versatility and ability to pair with countless ingredients, it’s no wonder pasta dishes are a favorite around the world. In this blog, we’ll share 10 mouthwatering pasta recipes that take less than 20 minutes to prepare. These recipes feature simple ingredients and bold flavors, proving that fast meals can be both delicious and nutritious.

Here’s a table summarizing the 10 Pasta Recipes That Take Less Than 20 Minutes, including the type of pasta, preparation time, and key ingredients:

Recipe Name	Type of Pasta	Time (Minutes)	Key Ingredients
Garlic Butter Spaghetti	Spaghetti	15	Garlic, butter, red pepper flakes, parsley
Creamy Lemon Fettuccine	Fettuccine	18	Lemon, heavy cream, Parmesan, basil
Classic Aglio e Olio	Spaghetti	12	Olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley
Pasta Primavera	Penne	20	Mixed vegetables, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan
Pesto Penne	Penne	15	Basil pesto, Parmesan, basil
Tomato Basil Linguine	Linguine	18	Cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil
Cacio e Pepe	Spaghetti	12	Pecorino Romano, black pepper
Tuna and Olive Spaghetti	Spaghetti	15	Tuna, black olives, garlic, olive oil
Spinach Ricotta Ravioli	Ravioli	20	Ravioli, spinach, ricotta, butter
Carbonara	Spaghetti	15	Eggs, Parmesan, pancetta, black pepper

---

1. Garlic Butter Spaghetti

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g spaghetti
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the garlic until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).
3. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing it in the garlic butter sauce. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
4. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

---

2. Creamy Lemon Fettuccine

Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g fettuccine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil the fettuccine until al dente, then drain, reserving some pasta water.
2. In the same pot, combine heavy cream, lemon juice, and zest. Heat over low until warm.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Toss in the fettuccine, adding pasta water as needed for a creamy consistency.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil, and enjoy!

---

3. Classic Aglio e Olio

Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g spaghetti
• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente, reserving some pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic slices and sauté until golden.
3. Add red pepper flakes and cooked spaghetti. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
4. Season with salt and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

---

4. Pasta Primavera

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g penne pasta
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the penne until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Toss in the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

---

5. Pesto Penne

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g penne pasta
• ½ cup store-bought or homemade basil pesto
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the penne pasta and drain, reserving a bit of the pasta water.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with pesto and Parmesan cheese. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Also Read: DIY Kitchen Hacks: Create Restaurant-Quality Dishes at Home

---

6. Tomato Basil Linguine

Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g linguine
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil linguine until al dente, then drain.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until soft.
3. Toss in the linguine, mixing well. Add salt, pepper, and fresh basil.
4. Serve hot, optionally garnished with Parmesan cheese.

---

7. Cacio e Pepe

Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g spaghetti
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente, reserving some pasta water.
2. In a large bowl, combine Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
3. Toss the hot spaghetti into the cheese mixture, adding pasta water gradually to create a creamy sauce.
4. Serve immediately with extra black pepper.

---

8. Tuna and Olive Spaghetti

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g spaghetti
• 1 can of tuna in olive oil, drained
• ¼ cup black olives, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic. Add tuna and olives, mixing well.
3. Toss in the cooked spaghetti and season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with parsley.

---

9. Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g store-bought ravioli
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook ravioli according to package instructions and drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
3. Toss in the ravioli and gently mix in ricotta cheese.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

---

10. Carbonara

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g spaghetti
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 100g pancetta or bacon, diced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese.
3. In a skillet, cook pancetta until crispy. Remove from heat.
4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing with the pancetta. Gradually mix in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring quickly to prevent scrambling. Add pasta water if needed for a creamy sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

---

Final Thoughts

With these 10 quick pasta recipes, you’ll never have to compromise on flavor when you’re short on time. Whether you’re craving something creamy, garlicky, or veggie-packed, these recipes offer something for every pasta lover. Plus, they use pantry-friendly ingredients, making them accessible and budget-friendly.

Experiment with these dishes and feel free to add your own twist—like sprinkling some chili flakes, swapping out vegetables, or experimenting with herbs. Bon appétit!

FAQs About Quick Pasta Recipes

Don’t forget to share your creations and let us know your favorite recipe in the comments below!

Also Read: 5 Quick Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day Right