From linguine with clams to baked ravioli, pasta is versatile and frugal. Try one of these cheap pasta dishes tonight.
If you’re looking for more dinner ideas, check out all of our recipes.
I love pasta. Part of its appeal, honestly, is that it’s affordable. There are so many cheap pasta dishes out there.
But it’s also insanely versatile. You can make so many different things with pasta. But sometimes, you just get stuck making the same pasta dishes over and over.
So I’m here to help.
I put together a great list of easy pasta recipes that are both easy on your time and your wallet. From quick weeknight dinners to great baked recipes, you’re bound to find a new favorite for your family.
If you’re cooking these pasta recipes because pasta is frugal and you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget, cooking at home can definitely do that.
For more tips on how, reading The Ultimate Guide To Saving Money By Cooking At Home can help.
Cheap Pasta Dishes
Eggplant Parmesan Pasta
If you want all of the flavors of eggplant parm, but not all the work, make this eggplant parmesan pasta.
It’s a great weeknight dinner that skips the frying and cleanup of traditional eggplant parm.
Linguine With Clam Sauce
Clams are really budget-friendly where we are in Coastal North Carolina, so making linguine with clam sauce is a frugal meal that feels high end.
It’s a great recipe to make when you’re having company and you want to impress them without spending a lot.
Fettuccini Alfredo
Fettuccini alfredo is such a classic dish that’s so easy to make at home.
Plus, the homemade sauce in this recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably have at home now (so it’s quick to whip up when you look in the pantry and realize you’re out of jarred sauce).
Baked Ziti With Sausage
This baked ziti with sausage is one of the easiest meals to make.
The recipe makes a lot too, so it’s great if you have to feed a crowd or just want leftovers so you don’t have to cook the next day.
Vegan Penne Alla Vodka
Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll love this vegan penne alla vodka.
It tastes just like traditional penne alla vodka, so it’s a great recipe to make if you have visitors with dairy restrictions.
One Pot Sausage Pasta
The best part about this one pot sausage pasta is the fact that it’s all made in one pot.
That means you only have one pot to clean up at the end of the night. And that makes your life so much easier.
Asparagus Carbonara
This asparagus carbonara is packed with bacon. And bacon makes everything better.
It’s also a great way to incorporate a vegetable into your dinner without cooking them separately.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Lemon ricotta pasta is so fresh and light.
It’s a great idea when you’re in the mood for pasta but don’t want a really heavy sauce.
Black Bean And Kale Pasta
One of our favorite easy dinners is this black bean and kale pasta.
It’s great for Meatless Monday when you want protein, but you don’t want to have any meat.
Taco Lasagna
The fun of this taco lasagna is it has all the flavors of tacos without the shell.
It’s a good dinner for when you’re in the mood for tacos but want something with a twist.
Pasta Alla Norma
The baked eggplant really steals the show in this pasta alla norma recipe.
It’s another great way to add vegetables into your pasta without serving them on the side.
Baked Ravioli
Baked ravioli is such a good twist on dinner. It’s part ravioli, part lasagna — just way easier than a lasagna.
The best part is it’s all cooked in one pan, so you only have one pan to wash after dinner.
Chicken Parmesan Pasta
If you don’t want to make chicken parm on a weeknight because it’s too much work, make this chicken parmesan pasta instead.
You get the flavors of chicken parm with less effort.
Homemade Kale Pesto Ravioli
I don’t really like basil pesto, but I love the kale pesto that tops this homemade ravioli.
It does take a little bit of work to make these, but it’s a labor of love that’s worth it when you want something special for your family or guests.
Kale Pasta
The creaminess of the sauce and the crunchiness of the topping make this kale pasta so satisfying.
It makes a lot, so it’s one of those meals you can make once and eat twice.
Mardi Gras Pasta
It doesn’t have to be Mardi Gras for you to eat this Mardi Gras pasta. It’s called that, mostly, because of its New Orleans-inspired Cajun flavors.
It’s basically Cajun alfredo, but with a spicy twist.
Pasta Salad Recipes:
If you’re looking for pasta salads and wondering why you didn’t find any on this list, it’s because we have a separate list for them.
For those, check out our list of pasta salad recipes.
Which of these budget-friendly pasta recipes will you try first?