These Easy Pasta Recipes Will Be On the Table in Just 20 Minutes

Garlic, parsley, and lemon coat each bite of shrimp and noodles with fresh flavors, while a half-and-half mix of butter and olive oil brings everything together. One bite will have you asking, "Wait, this was made in 20 minutes?!"

If you can’t find (or don’t enjoy) green beans, try this easy vegetarian pasta recipe with asparagus pieces, broccolini bites, or thin coins of squash. You’ll score 12 grams of filling fiber per serving, thanks to a healthy dose of veggies, beans, and multigrain pasta.

Who says your bowl of pasta needs a fork? Start with frozen beef ravioli and you can have a speedy soup on the table ready diving-in spoon first. Fresh thyme and mini red peppers freshen up each comforting bowl.

Buy It: Crock-Pot Artisan 7-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven ($76, Bed Bath & Beyond)

This simple pasta recipe is full of fresh spinach and tender mushrooms. Toss in some leftover chicken or steak from last night to transform this bowtie skillet from side dish to entrée.

This recipe will save you time before and after dinner—the meal is ready in just 20 minutes, and there's only one pot to clean afterward! Customize with your favorite leafy greens and cheese (we love Asiago or Parmesan) to make this easy pasta recipe your own.

This fast and easy pasta dish is loaded with fresh broccoli and roasted red peppers. Using deli-roasted chicken to add protein also cuts down the time needed to prepare this 20-minute pasta recipe.

Test Kitchen Tip: Don't forget to save a bit of the pasta water before draining. The starchy water will help the pesto stick to the pasta.

Here's a 7-ingredient supper you can't beat. Using refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini and pre-cooked ham means the recipe only requires 10-minutes of hands-on time. To make it a balanced meal, we added a few handfuls of fresh arugula and peas to the mix. Don't forget to top with extra Parm!

Now here’s a light and refreshing take on pasta salad: Top a vinaigrette-dressed mixed vegetable salad with cooked cheese tortellini. No need for croutons when you have pasta bites instead. This is also an easy make-ahead recipe. Prepare and cover the salad for up to 2 hours, waiting to add the pasta until serving time.

Sure, this bowl of noodles looks simple, but watch out—it's hot! The garlicky, cheesy pasta has a healthy dose of red pepper flakes, giving it an unexpected burst of flavor. Of course, you can also cut down on the amount of pepper added or serve extra for those who love the heat.

Buy It: OXO 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander ($25, Target)

This delicious and easy copycat cavatappi recipe is even faster than takeout! You need only 15 minutes to whip up a batch of this easy pesto pasta for dinner. Top with quick-cooking chicken breast or shrimp to please heartier appetites.

Gnocchi, a mash-up of mashed potatoes and pasta, is the perfect quick pasta recipe for an easy weeknight dinner since you can stock it in your pantry. (Trust us, this recipe will make you want to keep it stocked.) Boil, add cream cheese, stir in some fresh sweet corn, and finish with arugula to make this bright and delicious meal.

Buy It: DeLallo Potato Gnocchi ($3, Target)

Soy sauce, fresh ginger, and garlic-chili sauce create this simple pasta recipe's signature flavors. Refrigerated grilled chicken breast reduces the time needed to prepare this takeout-inspired recipe. If you don't have udon noodles, whole-wheat spaghetti works perfectly (plus adds some extra whole-grains to your meal).

Five ingredients. Twenty minutes. We've found the ultimate quick and easy pasta dinner! This yummy pasta dish is a speedy, skinnier take on fettuccine Alfredo that offers 41 grams of filling protein via canned tuna.

Related: Gluten-Free? Use Our Handy Guide for Choosing the Right Wheat Pasta Substitute

Fettuccine Alfredo in just 15 minutes? Believe it! This fast pasta is loaded with asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and fresh mushrooms, and it's ready in a snap. It's a vegetarian pasta recipe so rich and delicious, meat-eaters will also devour it.

Tender, succulent shrimp is definitely the star ingredient in this quick and easy pasta recipe. Covered with a simple sauce and packed with fresh spinach, this light, flavorful dish is perfect for a fast dinner.

Related: 5-Ingredient Dinners You (Yes, You!) Can Create on the Busiest Evenings

Broccolini and red bell peppers add freshness, chicken breasts crank up the protein, and bottled peanut sauce infuses each bite with pleasant nutty quality. Bonus: This is a one-pot dinner recipe so you'll also have minimal cleanup after your meal.

Here's another fast pasta recipe utilizing a juicy rotisserie chicken as the shortcut ingredient. Luxurious Alfredo sauce and zesty pesto team up to create the perfectly creamy sauce for this fast pasta dinner. Broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots boost the vitamin levels of this easy chicken pasta recipe.

If you're trying to go more plant-based with your protein options these days, look no further than this fast pasta recipe. The creamy mushroom sauce gives the easy pasta dinner meaty, umami flavor minus the meat. Quick, comforting, and delicious, the whole family will rave over this meal.

No one is going to believe a pasta dinner that looks this fancy only took 20 minutes to prepare. A dash of pesto adds a burst of flavor to this quick chicken and pasta recipe. Add in carrots for a serving of veggies and a pop of color.

This quick and easy pasta recipe with few ingredients is the perfect weeknight dinner for the family. Tomato pesto is the star ingredient that brings all the flavors together. Top with shaved Parmesan for a fancy, nutty finish.

Related: Easy, Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Remind You Eating Carbs Can Be Good for You

Purchased ravioli is an excellent way to whip up a quick pasta dinner in just 20 minutes. Summer squash and fresh spinach give this easy dinner recipe a nutrition boost. With just over 200 calories per serving, it's an easy pesto pasta recipe you can feel good about eating.

You need just five ingredients to create this veggie-filled dinner masterpiece. Top with a sprinkle of freshly shredded cheese and a bit of cracked black pepper for a restaurant-style finish.

Related: 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Recipes for When You're Short on Time and Ingredients