13 Family-Favorite Pastas You’ll Love to Make Over and Over

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Here are13 family-tested and approved pasta dishes! These recipes have been perfected over countless dinner tables and guaranteed to elicit cheers, and maybe even requests for seconds!

Crock Pot chili mac in the slow cooker with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta

A close-up of a fork lifting a Sausage Pepper Pasta dish garnished with herbs.
Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta. Photo credit: .

Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta combines tasty flavors in a creamy sauce, diverging from the classic marinara. It’s a reliable family favorite that’s ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal on the table without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a slow cooker wonder, creating a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that effortlessly falls apart and captures the essence of the beloved restaurant. It’s a family-friendly recipe that simplifies mealtime, ensuring a crowd-pleaser with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

French Onion Casserole

A bowl of cFrench onion casserole
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

French Onion Casserole transforms a classic soup into a one-pan pasta dish that’s quick to make and a hit with the family. Its savory profile and crispy onions make it a weeknight staple, providing an easy meal for those evenings when time is short.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

bowl of chicken and gnocchi soup with spinach on a cutting board and breadsticks in the background.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Chicken Gnocchi Soup, inspired by Olive Garden’s famous recipe, pairs a creamy broth with chicken and vegetables in a slow cooker creation. It’s an easy pasta recipe that brings a touch of restaurant-quality to your dining table, offering a comforting meal with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

An Instant Pot recipe for a bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables.
Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce is a hearty meal that marries pasta with a meaty tomato sauce, all in one pot. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a family-favorite pasta dish that promises a flavorful dinner on the fly, perfect when you are on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Crock Pot chili mac in the slow cooker with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Chili Mac is a fusion of two comfort foods in one easy dish, delivering a hearty and flavorful meal with the convenience of a slow cooker. It’s a pasta recipe that your family will request repeatedly for its simplicity and heartiness.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Plate of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parmesan.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs simplifies a classic pasta dish into a one-pot meal. With homemade meatballs and spaghetti, it’s a dependable dish that ensures a hearty meal without the hassle, perfect for a family dinner that requires minimal attention.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles.
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Crock Pot Beef and Noodles recipe is a comforting dish that lets the slow cooker do the work, resulting in tender beef paired with pasta. It’s a family-favorite pasta recipe that brings back the nostalgia of slow-cooked meals, ideal for a cozy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Chicken Parm Casserole

Baked pasta dish topped with melted cheese in a glass dish.
Chicken Parm Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a quick-to-assemble pasta dish that saves the day when time is tight. With its easy, cheesy layers, it’s a pasta recipe that will secure a spot in your weekly meal plan, ensuring a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Casserole

Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

A crock pot filled with spaghetti and chicken.
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock-Pot Chicken Spaghetti is a pasta dish that offers the comfort of a home-cooked meal with the convenience of a slow cooker. With tender chicken and a velvety cheese sauce, it’s a that is perfect for family dining.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Two bowls of instant pot macaroni and cheese on a red and white checkered tablecloth.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is a simple, five-ingredient recipe that’s a guaranteed hit. It’s a pasta dish that provides a creamy, comforting meal in minutes, securing its place as a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

A bowl of pasta with meat and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Baked Ziti is a comforting pasta dish that lets the slow cooker meld together ziti, marinara, cheese, and sausage into a family-cherished meal. It’s an effortless recipe for those days when you crave the comfort of a pasta bake without the preparation.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Chicken and pasta in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta is a pasta dish that brings a kick of Louisiana spice to your dinner table. With chicken in a creamy, spicy sauce, it’s an easy recipe that captures the bold flavors of Cajun cooking.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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