14 Easy Skillet Pasta Meals | SimplyMealful

Dinner doesn't get easier than skillet pasta — the noodles cook right in the sauce, soaking up every bit of flavor while you skip the extra pot. These fourteen recipes cover creamy, cheesy, spicy, and classic, all ready in one pan. Grab your biggest skillet and let's eat.

1. Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta

Silky garlic-butter sauce clinging to every noodle — simple ingredients, big flavor.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 6 tbsp butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti in salted water until just shy of al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet and sauté the garlic 1 minute.
3. Add the cream and red pepper flakes; simmer 2 minutes.
4. Toss in the pasta with 1/2 cup pasta water.
5. Stir in the parmesan until the sauce coats the noodles.
6. Season, top with parsley, and serve immediately.

2. One-Pan Taco Pasta

Taco night meets pasta night — zesty, cheesy, and ready in 25 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups salsa
• 3 cups beef broth
• 12 oz rotini
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
• Sour cream and cilantro for topping

Instructions

1. Brown the beef with the onion in a large skillet; drain.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, and broth.
3. Add the rotini; bring to a simmer.
4. Cover and cook 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in the cheese until melted.
6. Serve topped with sour cream and cilantro.

3. Skillet Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Crispy chicken, marinara, and molten mozzarella — all the parm flavors, one pan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups marinara
• 12 oz penne
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• Basil leaves

Instructions

1. Bread the chicken in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs.
2. Fry in olive oil until golden; set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add marinara, water, and penne; simmer 12 minutes.
4. Nestle the chicken back in.
5. Top with mozzarella and broil 3 minutes until bubbly.
6. Garnish with basil and serve.

4. Lemon Shrimp Linguine

Bright, garlicky shrimp over linguine — a 20-minute dinner that feels fancy.

Ingredients

• 12 oz linguine
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the linguine; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. Sauté the shrimp in butter 2 minutes per side; set aside.
3. Sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine, lemon juice, and zest; simmer 2 minutes.
5. Toss in the pasta with pasta water as needed.
6. Return the shrimp; top with parsley and serve.

5. Cheesy Baked Ziti Skillet

Bubbling, golden, and loaded with cheese — ziti night without the casserole dish.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 2 cups marinara
• 1 cup ricotta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Fresh basil

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in an oven-safe skillet; drain.
2. Add the marinara and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the cooked ziti and dollop with ricotta.
4. Top with mozzarella and parmesan.
5. Broil 4 to 5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
6. Rest 5 minutes; garnish with basil.

6. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Sweet-tart sun-dried tomatoes in a garlicky cream sauce — pantry magic.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Cook the penne; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. Sauté the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in a skillet 2 minutes.
3. Add the cream, broth, and Italian seasoning; simmer 3 minutes.
4. Stir in the parmesan until melted.
5. Toss in the pasta and spinach; wilt 2 minutes.
6. Loosen with pasta water as needed and serve.

7. Skillet Lasagna

All the cozy layers of lasagna — deconstructed into a weeknight-friendly skillet.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups marinara
• 8 oz mafalda or broken lasagna noodles
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup ricotta
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Brown the beef with the onion and garlic; drain.
2. Add the marinara, water, noodles, and Italian seasoning.
3. Simmer covered 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Dollop with ricotta.
5. Top with mozzarella and broil 3 minutes until melted.
6. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

8. Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Buttery, garlicky shrimp scampi tossed with linguine — a date-night classic.

Ingredients

• 12 oz linguine
• 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled
• 6 tbsp butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the linguine; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. Sear the shrimp in 2 tbsp butter 2 minutes per side; set aside.
3. Melt the remaining butter; sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes 1 minute.
4. Add the wine and lemon juice; simmer 3 minutes.
5. Toss in the pasta with pasta water.
6. Return the shrimp; top with parsley.

9. Beef Stroganoff Skillet Pasta

Tender beef and mushrooms in a tangy sour-cream sauce over egg noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sirloin, sliced thin
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tbsp butter
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 12 oz egg noodles
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Season and sear the beef in butter; set aside.
2. Sauté the mushrooms and onion 6 minutes.
3. Stir in the flour; cook 1 minute.
4. Whisk in the broth; add the noodles and simmer 10 minutes.
5. Stir in the sour cream and Dijon.
6. Return the beef; heat through and serve.

10. Pesto Chicken Pasta

Juicy chicken and bright basil pesto — a fresh, herby skillet dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz rotini
• 3/4 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Instructions

1. Season and sear the chicken in olive oil until cooked through.
2. Cook the rotini; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
3. Toss the pasta with the pesto and pasta water in the skillet.
4. Add the chicken and tomatoes; toss 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the parmesan.
6. Top with pine nuts and serve.

11. Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta

Smoky sausage and bell peppers in a spicy cream sauce — bold weeknight flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 12 oz penne
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in a skillet; set aside.
2. Sauté the pepper, onion, and garlic 4 minutes.
3. Add the Cajun seasoning; stir 30 seconds.
4. Pour in the cream, broth, and penne; simmer 12 minutes.
5. Stir in the parmesan and sausage.
6. Rest 3 minutes and serve.

12. Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake

The beloved dip turned into a creamy pasta bake — genius comfort food.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne
• 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, chopped
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Cook the penne; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Melt the cream cheese with the cream in an oven-safe skillet.
3. Stir in the parmesan, garlic powder, spinach, and artichokes.
4. Toss with the pasta and pasta water.
5. Top with mozzarella.
6. Broil 4 minutes until golden and bubbly.

13. Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Spicy buffalo chicken meets creamy pasta — game-day flavors for dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 12 oz rotini
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken in butter until golden.
2. Add the buffalo sauce, broth, and rotini; simmer 12 minutes.
3. Stir in the cream cheese until melted.
4. Add the cheddar; stir until smooth.
5. Top with blue cheese and green onions.
6. Serve with extra buffalo sauce on the side.

14. Mushroom Marsala Pasta

Earthy mushrooms and sweet marsala in a savory cream sauce — elegant and easy.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fettuccine
• 1 lb mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 shallots, minced
• 3/4 cup marsala wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp chopped thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the fettuccine; reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. Sear the mushrooms in butter until deeply browned, 8 minutes.
3. Add the shallots; cook 2 minutes.
4. Deglaze with marsala; simmer 3 minutes.
5. Stir in the cream and parmesan.
6. Toss with the pasta, thyme, and pasta water as needed.