Home Recipes Pasta Dishes Pasta Sauces
ByAnnamarie Higley
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Mar. 31, 2023
Got a picky crew? These pasta recipes for kids will make planning your weeknight menu simpler than ever.
1/45
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
I try to make foods that are not only kid-friendly but that are also easy to reheat because my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
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2/45
Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This recipe is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it's rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it's made in the slow cooker, it's also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin
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3/45
Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken
On lazy summer weekends, we like chicken and yellow squash tossed with bow tie pasta. Add extra fresh grated Parmesan for a Sunday touch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine
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4/45
Turkey Sausage with Pasta
If you're looking for recipes with turkey sausage, stop here. This has the perfect blend of meaty, veggie and cheesy goodness. You'll be craving what's good for you when this pasta dish is on the menu. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
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5/45
Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli
When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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6/45
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Buffalo chicken is a favorite in our household. Combine it with pasta, and you have the ultimate comfort food. If you prefer less spicy food, the addition of sour cream, ranch dressing and mozzarella provides a creamy texture and cooler flavor that nicely balances the spice in this Buffalo chicken pasta dish. —Kathy White, Henderson, Nevada
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7/45
Sloppy Joe Pasta
Since I found this quick-to-fix recipe a few years ago, it's become a regular part of my menu plans. Everyone loves the combination of sloppy joe ingredients, shell pasta and cheddar cheese. —Lynne Leih, Idyllwild, California
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8/45
Chicken and Bows
I first made this chicken bow tie pasta when I was a professional nanny. It comes together quickly at dinnertime when the kids are hungry. —Danette Forbes, Overland Park, Kansas
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9/45
Tender Beef over Noodles
I dress up stew meat with noodles and a slightly sweet red sauce for this satisfying main dish. It goes great with a salad and garlic bread. —Olivia Gust, Salem, Oregon
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10/45
Chili-ghetti
I came up with this recipe when unexpected guests stopped by and I didn't have enough chili to go around. This spur-of-the-moment main dish is now a family favorite. —Cindy Cuykendall, Skaneateles, New York
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11/45
Italian Sausage with Bow Ties
We often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington
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12/45
Taco-Filled Pasta Shells
I've been stuffing pasta shells with different fillings for years, but my family enjoys this version with taco-seasoned meat the most. The frozen shells are so convenient, because you can take out only the number you need for a single-serving lunch or family dinner. Just add zippy taco sauce and bake. —Marge Hodel, Roanoke, Illinois
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13/45
Wagon Wheel Casserole
My ground beef hot dish is a family pleaser. We love the combination of ingredients.—Barbara Hopkins, Lusby, Maryland
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14/45
Double Jack Mac
This spicy mac and cheese recipe came about when I asked my two sisters what they would like to add to mac and cheese to make it special. One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans. I liked both of the ideas and this is the result. The black beans add color and nutrition. The pepper jack cheese adds zip and fun. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois
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15/45
Gnocchi Chicken Skillet
Stovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own favorite sauce and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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16/45
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
When chicken Parmesan meets stuffed shells, it's love at first bite. The texture of the chicken holds up in the deliciously creamy and cheesy mixture. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
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17/45
Tortellini Carbonara
Want a creamy pasta dish that's neither macaroni and cheese nor Alfredo? This tortellini carbonara hits all the right notes when it comes to cheesy goodness, not to mention the bacon. It's decadent, delicious and decidedly easy to make.
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18/45
BLT Skillet
This quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture. —Edrie O'Brien, Denver, Colorado
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19/45
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
This recipe was inspired by my daughter's favorite food—Buffalo wings! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
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20/45
Quick Chili Mac
This combines chili with one of my favorite pasta dishes. I often serve it for company or potlucks and occasionally add taco seasoning or use beanless chili and add black beans. —Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, Michigan
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21/45
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Don't tell anyone, but this butternut squash mac and cheese recipe has a secret. It incorporates a nutritious vegetable and cuts out the butter, but it's still so rich!
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22/45
Southern Barbecue Spaghetti Sauce
I revamped our favorite sloppy joe recipe into this thick spaghetti sauce that simmers in the slow cooker. The flavor is jazzy enough to be interesting to adults, yet mild enough for the kids to enjoy. —Rhonda Melanson, Sarnia, Ontario
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23/45
One-Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
When the weather’s too chilly to grill burgers, I whip up a big pot of this cheesy pasta. Believe it or not, it tastes just like a bacon cheeseburger, and it’s much easier for my young children to enjoy. —Carly Terrell, Granbury, Texas
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24/45
Hurry-Up Ham N Noodles
These noodles are a rich-tasting entree. The basic, hearty dish is ready to serve in almost the time it takes to cook the noodles. It is super for a luncheon or any time I’m in a hurry. —Lucille Howell, Portland, Oregon
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25/45
Lasagna Casserole
All the traditional flavor of lasagna, with none of the fuss. We've simplified the layers in this lasagna casserole so the dish comes together more quickly.
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26/45
Garlic Bread Pasta Torte
My kids love to stuff spiral pasta inside bread for a clever dinner torte. We save the bread crusts to make garlicky croutons for salad. —Melissa Birdsong, Waleska, Georgia
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27/45
Skillet Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
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28/45
Weeknight Pasta Squiggles
This zesty pasta dish is ideal for busy weeknights. It contains just a few ingredients, is easy to prep, and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes this healthy pasta recipe a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas
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29/45
Easy Chicken Alfredo
This dish’s classic sauce is almost as simple as opening a jar but tastes so much better. The easy chicken Alfredo recipe can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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30/45
Skillet Lasagna
Skillet lasagna is made in a single skillet and features creamy, cheesy layers full of classic flavors. The best part? No oven required.
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31/45
Pizza Spaghetti
The idea for this recipe came to me when I saw someone dip a slice of pizza into a pasta dish. My wife and kids love it, and so do my friends! —Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
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32/45
Fiesta Ravioli
I adapted this recipe to suit our taste for spicy food. The ravioli taste like mini enchiladas. I serve them with a Mexican-inspired salad and pineapple sherbet for dessert. —Debbie Purdue, Freeland, Michigan
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33/45
Authentic Pasta Carbonara
I learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
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34/45
This heartwarming dish is something I threw together years ago for my oldest daughter. When she's having a rough day, I put on the slow cooker and prepare this special recipe. —Mary Morgan, Dallas, Texas
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35/45
Broccoli and rice casserole tops my family's comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
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36/45
I developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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37/45
Cowboy Pasta
This Cowboy Pasta recipe combines ground beef, bacon, corn, tangy buttermilk and Monterey Jack cheese for an easy but hearty weeknight dinner. Add more chili powder or a chopped jalapeno to give this delicious pasta dish more of a kick. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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38/45
Mostaccioli
Even though we’re not Italian, this rich, cheesy pasta dish is a “family tradition” for holidays and special occasions. I was delighted the first time I tried this mostaccioli recipe—it has all the flavor of lasagna without the work of layering the ingredients. Try it…I’m sure it’ll become one of your family’s favorites, too! —Nancy Mundhenke, Kinsley, Kansas
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39/45
Country Bacon-Beef Mac and Cheese
This extra-meaty mac and cheese is easy to make in the slow cooker. Kids love it, and I like that I can sneak in some veggies. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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40/45
Stovetop Cheeseburger Pasta
Cheeseburgers are delicious in any form, but I'm partial to this creamy pasta dish that seriously tastes just like the real thing. It's weeknight comfort in a bowl. —Tracy Avis, Peterborough, Ontario
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41/45
Pizza Lover's Casserole
When you're looking for a surefire crowd-pleaser for a kids' party, it's hard to go wrong with pizza. This dish delivers the taste of pizza in a convenient and delicious casserole. Pair it with a salad and bread, and you have a great meal for a table full of kids without the pizzeria tab! —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan
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42/45
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
This Crockpot mac and cheese recipe is the perfect no-fuss recipe for busy weeknights, potlucks and holiday gatherings. It contains a few secret ingredients to make an effortless cheese sauce that's incredibly rich and creamy.
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43/45
Stovetop Beef and Shells
I fix this supper when I'm pressed for time. It's as tasty as it is fast. Team it with salad, bread and fruit for a comforting meal. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas
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44/45
Ham Pasta
This quick and easy ham pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, pasta with ham is a great way to use up leftovers in your fridge.
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45/45
Chicken Pesto Meatballs
These tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They're short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
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Originally Published: August 15, 2019
Author
Annamarie Higley
As Taste of Home's product testing manager, Annamarie leads the sourcing and testing of the products you see recommended on our websites. She's passionate about ensuring your money is spent on quality items that perform better than their competitors and will help you maintain a happy, efficient home.
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