Are you sick of bringing the same stale sandwiches to work every day? Then why not try pasta every now and then? If you’re on a limited budget, though, you’ll know not to get take-out every time.
And it’s for this reason that I constantly advise people I know to plan and prepare their meals in advance! This means you’ll just have to reheat your food before you’re ready to eat. And if you are one who loves pasta, then good news for you because I have here 45 delicious pasta meal prep ideas you can do even on a budget using kale, asparagus, artichoke, chicken breast and many other ingredients!
Contents
45. Spinach & Tomato Pasta Linguini – Vegan & Easy Recipe
This easy spinach and tomato pasta recipe is simple, fresh, and healthy! Perfect for your weeknight dinner, it takes less than 30 minutes to be ready! Kids just love it!!
Every day I have to make two different side dishes for our dinner or lunch. Pasta is my kids favorite side dishes. So I’ve been cooking pasta with vegetables for years. Pasta is a great option whenever I’m pressed for time or haven’t had a chance to prep anything in advance.
This easy and light tasting pasta makes a delicious meal all year round but is especially perfect during the summer. My garden is bursting with juicy tomatoes and fresh spinach and basil. So nothing is better than add these vegetables to a pretty and flavorful dish.
44. 15-Minute Chicken Sausage Pasta Meal Prep Bowls
Chicken Sausage Pasta Meal Prep Bowls, which can be prepared in just 15 minutes, offer a speedy and straightforward gluten-free meal prep solution!
I must confess, I have a deep affection for pasta. It was a frequent fixture in my university days given its affordability!
However, a few years back, I made a decision to halt any purchases of pasta when I decided to cut out wheat products from my diet. From then on, I’ve experimented with all imaginable alternatives, starting with veggie substitutes like zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, and broccoli slaw.
Currently, I’ve ventured into the exciting realm of GF pasta alternatives and my fondness for them couldn’t be stronger!
43. Lemon Ricotta Spinach Pasta
This delectable dish is brimming with tang and can be prepared in a mere 15 minutes.
What embodies the essence of summer better than a pasta dish featuring lemon, ricotta, and spinach?
The most remarkable aspect of this recipe is that it’s based on a sauce that requires no cooking and can perfectly be served chilled.
42. Spinach Pesto Pasta
Choose your preferred pasta type and prepare this exceptional pesto for a meal that will transform your culinary experience.
While I don’t aim to boast (perhaps a tiny bit), this spinach pesto pasta is one of my trademark dishes that garners universal appreciation.
With the first taste of this culinary wonder, diners are transported to a completely new world.
Skeptical? Try out this recipe and you’ll see how your dinner guests can’t get enough of it after their first bite.
41. Cheese Ravioli with Lemon Basil Butter Sauce
I’m an unabashed enthusiast of ravioli, even during the hottest summer days.
That’s why this appetizing recipe adopts a lighter and fresher strategy that won’t leave you feeling sluggish.
Who needs a heavy, creamy sauce when you can choose a flavorful lemon basil butter as the perfect topping?
40. Lemony Summer Squash Orecchiette with Spinach
Find yourself overwhelmed with a surplus of zucchini but clueless about its utilization?
It’s the perfect occasion to whip up a delightful lemony summer squash orecchiette with spinach.
This delightful weekend pasta dish will satisfy your palate and relies on only ten ingredients.
Orecchiette is, hands down, my most loved pasta shape because of its exceptional versatility that complements any dish.
39. Greek Pasta Salad
This ultra-simple Greek pasta salad is perfect to prepare in advance and refrigerate.
Just dice some delectable Mediterranean veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions to indulge.
Add a handful of olives and a sprinkle of feta cheese to truly relish this dish.
38. Summer Zucchini Noodle Salad
Nothing heralds the arrival of warm weather better than a summer zucchini noodle salad!
Replace the carb-heavy pasta with light and delicious zoodles.
Why feel bloated from starch and gluten when you can feel invigorated after a delightful meal?
You have the option to cook all the ingredients, but I suggest the healthier raw alternative.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to add some goat cheese for an extra layer of richness.
37. Lemony Pea Pasta
This simple lemon pea pasta becomes the talk of the town as summer approaches.
I relish preparing this dish with fresh peas from my garden, but you can easily substitute with frozen peas, as suggested in the recipe.
Filled with decadent ingredients and a creamy texture, you’ll be compelled to clean the plate after your final bite.
While it’s best enjoyed warm, it can also be refrigerated and served as a pasta salad the next day.
36. Eggplant Pasta
If you’re in the mood for a dish exploding with flavors, try this eggplant pasta!
This quintessential Italian dish combines all the best summer ingredients into one recipe.
Featuring a rich tomato sauce, roasted eggplants, fresh basil, and herbs, this dish promises to satisfy.
Though it may be on the heavier side, it remains a prime dinner choice since it only takes 25 minutes to whip up.
35. Lemon Garlic Pesto Shrimp Fettuccine
This dish, though simple to create, offers an extraordinary, gourmet taste.
Shrimp, indulged in a luxurious bath of lemon and garlic, enhances its flavor profile.
A single bite is sure to erupt with a unique taste sensation unlike any you’ve experienced before.
Although you may incorporate summer vegetables, I suggest allowing the shrimp to be the star of this recipe!
34. Ramen Noodles with Miso Pesto
Despite initial skepticism, the combination of ramen and pesto proves surprisingly delightful.
Embrace a bit of culinary adventurism and try something novel!
Should you wish to avoid ramen, that’s perfectly okay.
You can easily opt for a traditional pasta like linguini, penne, or tortellini.
Yet, the one component you shouldn’t miss is the transformative miso pesto!
33. Chicken Penne Parmesan Pasta
Chicken penne parmesan pasta is an ideal lighter alternative for summer.
Instead of being smothered in a heavy penne sauce, it incorporates sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms.
This recipe’s highlight is that it’s a one-pot meal! Could it get any simpler or tastier? I think not.
32. Corn Pasta
While corn on the cob is hard to beat, this corn pasta could be a strong contender!
This creamy dish will have you yearning for more.
It masterfully merges the best elements of summer into a single dish.
Crunchy corn, a base of coconut curry, and zesty lime? My taste buds are tingling!
31. Vegetable Pasta Salad
Got leftover pasta and no idea what to do? A vegetable pasta salad is the solution!
This dish is ideal for hot summer months when a hot meal is the last thing you want.
Just grab those leftovers, dice any vegetables you have available, add dressing, and voila!
30. Tomato Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguini
This recipe redefines summer pasta recipes with its tomato garlic butter shrimp linguini.
The linguini, bathed in a creamy marinara sauce, is topped with parmesan and a dash of basil.
This dish not only tastes divine but also takes a mere 15 minutes to prepare, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
29. Linguini Aglio e Olio
This linguini aglio e olio is crafted from the most basic ingredients you already have stocked in your pantry.
The only item you might need to fetch is a bunch of parsley (unless you already have it growing in your garden).
Feel free to include any additional ingredients you have on hand.
But, keeping this dish simple will allow you to truly savor its flavors.
28. Linguini with Clams
Elevate your culinary experience with this linguini with clams delight.
This dish delivers a five-star restaurant experience in your own kitchen.
The delicious linguini coupled with roasted clams will transport you to a seaside Italian village with every bite.
27. Lemon Chicken Pasta
This lemon chicken pasta is not just rich in flavors, but it’s also remarkably healthy.
It’s the epitome of comfort food and a hearty meal combined.
I enjoy preparing a big pot of this dish at the start of the week for easy meal-prepped lunches.
Packed with plenty of proteins and greens, it’s perfect to keep you fueled during busy days!
26. Farmers’ Market Vegetable Pasta with Walnut Pesto
There’s nothing like a summer morning at the farmers’ market followed by a delightful Sunday afternoon in the kitchen.
This vegetable pasta with walnut pesto allows you to do just that.
Collect some fresh veggies, roast them in the oven until they soften to add creaminess to the dish.
Finish it off with the walnut pesto and enjoy!
25. Linguine with Lemon & Tomatoes
The zesty lemon perfectly complements the rich tomato undertones in this culinary creation.
This recipe personifies the essence of summer with its selection of cool, fresh ingredients.
You can savour this dish straight from the stovetop or chilled from the refrigerator.
Although the original recipe suggests linguine, feel free to substitute with your preferred pasta variety.
24. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
As the summer season approaches, it’s a perfect opportunity to indulge in seafood dishes.
Fortunately, this shrimp pasta with garlic butter recipe ticks all the right boxes!
This recipe is incredibly simple to put together yet promises a flavourful feast.
In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a plateful of goodness.
For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some finely chopped herbs over the shrimp!
23. Herb Pasta
The taste of this dish is unparalleled and stands out amongst all others on this list.
The secret? Undoubtedly the simple, fresh ingredients.
The presence of fresh basil, parsley, and thyme is accentuated without any overpowering sauce.
You’re welcome to include any additional spices to elevate the dish to the next level.
And a sprinkle of parmesan cheese adds just the right creaminess to the recipe.
22. Zucchini Lasagna
During the summer, zucchinis seem to be in endless supply.
This recipe ingeniously uses these surplus veggies.
Choose this healthier, lighter alternative to traditional lasagna with this fun zucchini-based recipe.
With ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, this dish is an ode to cheese lovers!
21. Penne with Roasted Summer Vegetables and Ricotta Salata
We all know that an excellent way to repurpose pasta leftovers is by making a scrumptious pasta salad.
This recipe of penne with oven-roasted summer vegetables and Ricotta salata does precisely that.
It’s a perfect dish to whip up when you’re in the mood for a cooler meal amidst the summer heat.
Don’t hesitate to include any other veggies you might have handy when preparing the penne.
20. Summer Pasta Primavera
This pasta primavera embodies the essence of summer and is a lighter fare.
Just roast some cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and corn to create a delightful creamy base.
Add some pine nuts and basil to add a dash of freshness to the dish.
For an added protein punch, top it off with some grilled Italian sausage.
19. Creamy Cherry Tomato & Summer Squash Pasta
If your summer garden is in abundance with ripe veggies, this recipe will come to your rescue.
This recipe makes excellent use of those ripe tomatoes and summer squash.
If you lack the ingredients, a visit to the local farmer’s market will sort you out.
This recipe promises a mouthful of delight!
18. Cacio e Pepe
This traditional Italian dish is so delectable that it’s likely to put you in a food-induced trance. Skeptical?
Give it a go and find out for yourself!
The brilliance of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need pasta, cheese, and ground pepper to create this fantastic dish.
Indeed, simplicity is often the essence of life’s best offerings.
17. Pesto Pasta
My pesto sauce turned out incredibly creamy once I adopted this tasty pesto pasta recipe.
The trick to achieving the creamy texture is adding a little pasta water to the mix.
Once you’ve mastered the pesto sauce, it can be used in numerous other dishes.
You’re welcome to choose your favourite pasta, but I would highly recommend penne or ziti.
16. Pasta with Cherry Tomato Sauce
This summery pasta dish has all the classic elements, just with a twist.
The key ingredients are succulent cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and parmesan.
The toasted pine nuts add a subtly sweet flavour, making them the dish’s true star.
Finish the dish by adding mozzarella balls for a delightful gastronomic experience!
15. Homemade Penne a la Vodka
Don’t worry the vodka just adds a delicious flavor and the actual alcohol content will burn off when you simmer the sauce.
Check it here.
14.
Cheesy Baked Pasta with Chicken is a delicious baked pasta that will satisfy your entire family. This baked pasta is comfort food at it’s finest. It is filled with chunks of chicken, penne pasta, chopped tomatoes all wrapped up in a creamy cheese sauce. Make this ahead of time and pop in the oven before dinner.
Check it here.
13.
Is there anything more perfect than creamy mushroom pappardelle? That warm, earthy mushroom flavour paired with hearty pasta noodles, and bathed in a rich cream sauce…you know I’m right, bestie. Creamy mushroom pasta is as good as it gets.
Check it here.
12.
Fun fusilli pasta, creamy vegan pesto, earthy chickpeas, and bright roasted vegetables, combine for a quick, easy, and colorful vegan pesto pasta salad. This recipe is oil-free but full of flavor. Serve cold as a perfect side dish for a summer cookout or warm as your main course.
Check it here.
11. Pasta Salad With Cucumbers and Italian Dressing
This is a simple recipe for a pasta salad with cucumbers and Italian dressing. It is a great meal for the hot summer days and perfect as an alfresco lunch with a cold glass of Pinot Grigio.
Check it here.
10. Olive Garden Copycat Minestrone Soup
Olive Garden copycat minestrone soup tastes just like the restaurant version right at home. Warm, filling, and full of veggies, this soup is still incredibly easy to make and only requires the Instant Pot or one large stock pot to make! See more restaurant copycat recipes.
Check it here.
9. Gluten Free Taco Pasta Salad (Paleo)
This Gluten Free Taco Pasta Salad is creamy, hearty, a little spicy, and the best side dish! This Paleo pasta salad is bold and hearty enough for any time of the year. It is great as a side dish, easy appetizer, or light meal. The flavors make this pasta salad unique and unforgettable!
Check it here.
8. My Favorite Baked Ziti – Perfect Lunch or Quick Dinner
This easy casserole goes from start to eating in far less than an hour. Perfect for entertaining or a quick dinner idea.
Check it here.
7. Ground Beef and Tomato Tasty Pasta Bake
If you are looking for a hearty and comforting meal, I’ve got you covered with this beef and tomato pasta bake. Pasta is baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with cheese for an easy dinner that the whole family will love!
Check it here.
6. Vegetarian Healthy Pasta Bake
This creamy and cheesy vegetarian pasta bake is easy and to make and perfect for meal prep. Packed full of tasty flavors – red onion, goats cheese, spinach and tomatoes make for the perfect bowl of comfort! Quick to prep with fresh vegetables.
Check it here.
5. Garlic Chicken & Veggie Pasta Meal Prep Recipe
This Garlic Chicken & Veggies Pasta Meal Prep will satisfy even the pickiest eater, while helping you save time in the kitchen and stay on budget.
Check it here.
4. Spicy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
Spicy Tuna Pasta Salad is an easy cold pasta salad to serve during grilling season or to bring to your next potluck. It’s perfect as a make-ahead side dish or lunch. You’ll love the delicious, creamy, sweet and spicy dressing!
Check it here.
3. Cold Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad
This Cold Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect easy cold meal prep idea or a dish for a potluck!
Check it here.
2. Penne With Herb Butter & Peas
It’s high time to abandon unnecessary complexity in cooking and return to fundamental elements.
Replace the heavy sauces with the basic ingredients outlined in this particular recipe.
The rich foundation of butter infused with a combination of fresh and dried herbs offers a gastronomic delight that we always desired, yet were unaware of.
The charm of this recipe undeniably lies in its simplicity!
1. Cold Chicken Pasta Recipe with Broccoli and Peas
Looking for a cold lunch idea? Then this tasty Cold Chicken Pasta with Broccoli and Peas meal prep is for you!
Check it here.
45 Delicious Meal Prep Pasta Recipes
Enjoy healthy pasta meal prep recipes on a budget with these 45 easy to make delicious and affordable options.
Ingredients
- Homemade Penne a la Vodka
- Chicken Pasta Bake
- Creamy Mushroom Pappardelle
- Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Veggies
Instructions
- Choose any Delicious Meal Prep Pasta Recipes from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Delicious Meal Prep Pasta Recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.