10 Last-Minute Dinners You Can Make with a Simple Box of Pasta

•

Published Sep 19, 2017

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

There’s you, your commute and a solid goal to get a semi-gourmet meal on the table. If only time (and traffic) were on your side. Here, a selection of recipes that prove dinner from a box in your pantry can actually be the most satisfying.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1.

Cacio e Pepe

Just six ingredients required. (Pssst...Parmesan is one of them.)

Get the recipe

Erin McDowell

2.

Spaghetti with Avocado Pasta Sauce

Hello, it’s the new pesto.

Get the recipe

Kajakiki/Getty Images

3.

Whole Grain Pasta with Pesto, Mozzarella, Pine Nuts and Tomato

JK. We love you, pesto.

Get the recipe

Half Baked Harvest

4.

Heirloom Tomato Basil Chicken Parmesan Bolognese

Did we mention this will be on the table in 20 minutes?

Get the recipe

Spicy Southern Kitchen

5.

Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce

For when you’re craving something with a kick.

Get the recipe

Cooktopia

6.

Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Feta

Freezer food never looked so good.

Get the recipe

Five Heart Home

7.

30-Minute Skillet Lasagna

Not everyone has time for real-deal lasagna.

Get the recipe

Joyful Healthy Eats

8.

Creamy Butternut Squash Alfredo Pasta

You’ll love this marinara alternative.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9.

One-Pan Spaghetti and Meatballs

Save time at night by making the meatballs on a weekend and freezing them.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10.

15-Minute Pasta Limone

It’s even garnished with lemon zest. How gourmet.

Get the recipe

Rachel Bowie

Royal family expert, a cappella alum, mom

Rachel Bowie is Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals at PureWow, where she covers parenting, fashion, wellness and money in addition to overseeing initiatives within...

read full bio