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    Home » Recipe Index » 30 Minute Meals

    Easy Pasta Recipes for One

    January 8, 2023 By Rebecca 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Easy Recipes, Pasta Dishes

    collage of four plates of pasta

    Make any of these easy pasta recipes for one for a quick weeknight dinner. These delicious recipes make cooking for one easy and something to look forward to. You deserve to eat deliciously!

    collage of four plates of pasta

    Table of contents

    • Cooking for One Tips
    • Pastas Using a Can of Tomatoes
    • Vegetarian Pastas
    • 20 Minute Pasta Recipes
    • One Pot Pasta Recipes
    • FAQ

    Cooking for One Tips

    These single serving recipes are a great place to get started if you cook for one, but here are a couple easy cooking for one resources to make cooking easy and more enjoyable.

    • Cooking for One Pantry Essentials
    • Pantry Recipes for One
    • Meal Planning for One
    • Free Cooking for One Cookbook
    • Cooking for One Cooking Hacks

    Other recipes:

    • Quick Pantry Dinners for One
    • The Best Single Serving Recipes
    • Small Batch Desserts
    • Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes for One

    Pastas Using a Can of Tomatoes

    Black Bean Pasta
    Shop your pantry to make this quick black bean pasta. In just 15 minutes, you can chop up some veggies, throw in canned black beans, tomatoes and other ingredients from your pantry to make a delicious dinner.
    Check out this recipe
    square image of black bean pasta with cheese in a bowl
    One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
    Make this 20 minute, pantry ingredient, one pot chicken parmesan pasta with crispy breadcrumbs instead of traditional crispy, cheesy chicken parmesan without the extra time, steps, and mess.
    Check out this recipe
    square photo of spiral pasta with tomatoes on a black plate with a fork
    Canned Tomato Pasta
    Make this easy canned tomato pasta with pantry ingredients. It comes together in just 15 minutes and doesn't taste like you threw it together. Freshly cooked pasta, a can of tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, and Italian sausage are delicious in this meal.
    Check out this recipe
    simple pasta in a white bowl with sausage on top and ingredients behind

    Vegetarian Pastas

    Protein Mac and Cheese
    Craving a high protein mac and cheese recipe that's silky, creamy, and cheesy? One secret ingredient in this pasta recipe adds silkiness and protein without changing the taste of this delicious macaroni and cheese.
    Check out this recipe
    close up of protein mac and cheese in a bowl
    Instant Pot Lentil Stroganoff
    This Instant Pot vegetarian stroganoff with tender, meaty mushrooms is perfect when you need a comforting, easy dinner. This stroganoff is hearty, filling, and a vegetarian take on the traditional beef stroganoff. 
    Check out this recipe
    close up of lentil stroganoff with parsley
    Light Pasta Carbonara
    This healthy carbonara pasta is just as good as the best versions you've had, it just has less added fat without skimping on flavor or creaminess. Not only is this carbonara recipe healthy and delicious, it can be made in just about 15 minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    pasta with peas, prosciutto, and a poached egg in a bowl

    20 Minute Pasta Recipes

    Jerk Shrimp Pasta
    Make this jerk shrimp pasta if you're in the mood for a 20 minute dinner that's spicy, creamy, and bursting with flavor! It's similar to the Jamaican Italian fusion Rasta Pasta, but can be adapted to use up ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
    Check out this recipe
    close up of jerk shrimp pasta in a bowl
    Pesto Pasta for One
    Make this pesto pasta for one in just 10 minutes with pre-made pesto sauce, like this Arugula Basil Pesto or Pistachio Pesto. It's a quick dinner you can throw together on days you didn't plan ahead and want something equally easy and delicious.
    Check out this recipe
    bowtie pasta with pesto in a white bowl with ingredients on table

    One Pot Pasta Recipes

    Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    Dinner is just 15 minutes away with this easy single serving mac and cheese. It's versatile, delicious, and made with a handful of pantry ingredients. Enjoy it as is or add a side for a filling meal.
    Check out this recipe
    macaroni and cheese, broccoli on black plate
    One Pot Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta
    Combine the best salty, earthy, and meaty flavors in this 20 minute creamy one pot chicken bacon and mushroom pasta. Quickly cook your pasta while preparing your mushrooms then add it back after cooking the meat and mushrooms for a super easy one pot dinner for one.
    Check out this recipe
    close up of pasta with mushrooms, bacon, and chicken with a fork in it

    FAQ

    What can I add to pasta when there's nothing?

    Buttered noodles are a great easy recipe. My dad made them when I was growing up. Cook elbow noodles (but any pasta works), drain water, add butter and salt to taste.

    You can also drizzle olive oil, garlic salt over pasta. Add lemon and/or parmesan cheese if you have it. Frozen vegetables or a protein are great additions, if you have either in the freezer.

    I also love a great throw together spaghetti. Cook pasta, add a can of tomatoes, a pinch of salt, a couple pinches of sugar, Italian seasonings, and garlic if you have it. Add frozen vegetables/protein if you have either as well.

    How do you make 1 serving of pasta?

    What's a serving? I could look it up, but many 1 serving pasta recipes use ½ ish cup of dry pasta. Personally, I like to use ½-2/3 cup of pasta in 1 serving to fill me up more. Most of these easy pasta recipes for one use ½-2/3 cup pasta.

    Determine how much you need by your hunger level and when you'll be able to eat next/schedule more than what a serving size 'should be' because those recommendations are arbitrary.

    Did you make any of these easy pasta recipes for one? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!

    Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More 30 Minute Meals

    • Chicken Soup for One
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread
    • Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    • Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina says

      January 11, 2023 at 7:53 pm

      This is the perfect list of recipes to work my way through on the days my husband works overnights! Thanks for this!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 12, 2023 at 5:22 pm

        great! enjoy

        Reply
    2. Sharon Chen says

      January 12, 2023 at 12:12 am

      Thank you for all the tips!!! Saving this so I can still get quick lunches when I am swamped with work lol!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 12, 2023 at 5:22 pm

        oh a couple will be perfect for busy days

        Reply
    3. Dannii says

      January 12, 2023 at 2:41 am

      There are so many great recipes to choose from here. Perfect for a solo dinner.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 12, 2023 at 5:23 pm

        totally! enjoy

        Reply
    4. Katherine says

      January 12, 2023 at 4:23 am

      This is a great collection of pastas for one! I can't wait to try the jerk shrimp version!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 12, 2023 at 5:22 pm

        enjoy!

        Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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