Not everyone has a Nonna whispering cooking wisdom in the kitchen, but that’s not stopping anyone here. This lineup of 21 pasta meals pulls off the impossible: looking impressive without causing a single meltdown. They bring all the comfort and flair without the dramatic family backstory or handwritten notes in the margins.

Cajun Pasta with Shrimp on a black plate. — Cajun Pasta with Shrimp. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Two black cast iron pans filled with mac and cheese sit on cork trivets on a white wooden surface. — Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

There’s something comforting about a dish full of cheesy goodness that everyone loves. Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese is known for its simple yet timeless appeal. Creamy layers of sauce mixed with pasta make it an all-time favorite. It’s an easy choice for gatherings, movie nights, or a craving for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad

A plate of bowtie pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, zucchini, black olives, and herbs, set on a blue plate with a bowl of tomatoes and utensils nearby. — Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Perfect for any casual get-together, this is your go-to option when you want something light but filling. Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad combines a unique shape with flavors that you can customize for any occasion. It works well for a quick lunch or as a side when feeding guests. The versatility ensures everyone goes for seconds without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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I've gathered 31 of my favorite casseroles for you and your family to love! I've created and tested each recipe many times, and you can be sure of no AI. Just dependable, scratch-made dishes to dig into!

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✅ Spaghetti Casserole
✅ Sloppy Joe Casserole
✅ Sausage-Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
✅ Tuna Noodle Casserole.
✅ and so many more!

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Pastitsio

Inspired by Mediterranean recipes, this baked dish brings hearty flavors into your kitchen. Pastitsio layers pasta and sauce into something rich and comforting. The balanced combination makes it ideal for big dinners or when feeding a crowd. You’ll appreciate how everything comes together in one dish with a homestyle flair.
Get the Recipe: Pastitsio

Sloppy Joe Casserole

A creative twist on casual family dinners, this recipe makes meals fun and different. Sloppy Joe Casserole pairs a familiar favorite with pasta for an unexpected spin. It’s a simple way to make something comforting but with an extra touch. Families enjoy how easy it is to prepare and how fulfilling it feels at the table.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Italian Pot Roast Pasta

Combining comfort and boldness makes this dish stand out with every bite. Italian Pot Roast Pasta brings together slow-cooked elements with familiar pasta. It’s the kind of dinner people request when they want something filling and memorable. Perfect for large meals or special gatherings, this choice adds depth to the usual options.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pot Roast Pasta

Easy Skillet Cheese Tortellini with Ham & Peas

Quick recipes don’t have to be boring, and this one proves that point with ease. Easy Skillet Cheese Tortellini with Ham & Peas blends creamy, cheesy elements that are hard to resist. Great for weeknight dinners or last-minute ideas, it’s both simple and fulfilling for nearly any crowd. People love how everything cooks in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Cheese Tortellini with Ham & Peas

Classic Chicken Spaghetti With No Mushrooms

Wooden utensils lifting chicken spaghetti from a baking dish. — Classic Chicken Spaghetti With No Mushrooms. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

For families looking for reliable favorites, there’s hardly any better choice for dinner. Classic Chicken Spaghetti With No Mushrooms keeps dinner simple yet filling. Families that prefer straightforward flavors appreciate how easy this dish fits into their meal rotations. It’s particularly great for gatherings where you need to please a variety of palates.
Get the Recipe: Classic Chicken Spaghetti With No Mushrooms

Baked Feta Pasta

Easy and trendy, this recipe is well-loved for its simplicity and bold flavors. Baked Feta Pasta brings together pasta with rich, creamy elements that create a unique dish in just one pan. Its simplicity is what makes it popular; you don’t need a lot of fancy steps to make something flavorful. It’s ideal for casual nights when you want something quick but memorable.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Classic Skillet Lasagna with Ground Beef

When you don’t want the fuss of layered lasagna, here’s the perfect answer. Classic Skillet Lasagna with Ground Beef serves up everything people love about the traditional dish, but in an easier style. Its flavors and textures hit all the right marks without needing too much effort. Ideal for weeknight dinners or the next family gathering.
Get the Recipe: Classic Skillet Lasagna with Ground Beef

Creamy Spinach Orzo

Here’s an option for those craving something smooth and full of comforting textures. Creamy Spinach Orzo is a great choice when you want pasta packed with hearty elements that feel complete. Whether serving alone or pairing with something else, this choice makes meal planning easy. Its flavors are rich without needing too much preparation time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Orzo

Nonna’s Pastina Soup

A nostalgic choice that’s perfect for simple but fulfilling meals without breaking a sweat. Nonna’s Pastina Soup feels like home in every bite, with soft pasta adding comfort to each spoonful. The simplicity of this recipe makes it a fan-favorite, especially on calm evenings. It’s a dish that bridges generations with its undeniable appeal.
Get the Recipe: Nonna’s Pastina Soup

Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Ricotta and Tomato Pasta in a white bowl. — Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Combining freshness with creamy textures makes this recipe stand out around the table. Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes makes meals convenient yet surprisingly enjoyable. The blend of flavors paired with pasta gives this recipe an unmistakable touch. Perfect for evenings when you want something reliable but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

A plate of Chicken Tetrazzini topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs, with a fork and napkin beside it. — Easy Chicken Tetrazzini. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Recipes that everyone enjoys over and over rarely disappoint. Easy Chicken Tetrazzini lands on that special list where meals fit into nearly any occasion with ease. Comforting without being overly complex, it’s ideal for both family dinners and hosting. It remains one of those dishes people remember long after the plates are cleared.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage in a serving bowl with tomatoes in the background. — Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A dish that brings bold elements into one bowl, making for a memorable meal. Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta pairs contrasting flavors that work perfectly together. It’s an option for those who enjoy meals with added depth but prefer straightforward cooking. Hosting friends or family becomes easier when you serve something like this.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Definitely a recipe for those looking to try something creative when cooking pasta. Smoked Shotgun Shells bring a unique style to any plate with bold presentation and flavors. Great for showing something new to friends or family at meals. It turns into a conversation at the table, thanks to its creative design.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

One of the most comforting and easy-to-make meals for both quiet nights and guest dinners alike. Pasta e Fagioli Soup is a familiar option many people keep returning to over the years. Great for when you want something that fits into smaller portions or larger meals with company. Its appeal goes beyond just being easy; it’s also packed with timeless flavors.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Giant Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells in two black serving dishes. — Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Perfect for large portions with bold presentation that’s hard to forget. Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells serve up lots of flavor, combining filling pasta in a shareable format. It’s the kind of meal people talk about long after it’s served. Great for hosting potlucks or feeding families who want something foolproof and fun.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Greek Spaghetti

A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, feta and kalamata olives. — Greek Spaghetti. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Adding an international twist to pasta night makes for a fun meal. Greek Spaghetti stands out with its unique take, combining popular flavors into one bowl. It’s a way to surprise guests with something different without making it too complicated. This recipe works well when you want variety in your weeknight meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti

Lemon Chicken Orzo Skillet with Broccoli

Golden-browned lemon chicken thighs served over orzo pasta with tender broccoli florets, garnished with fresh lemon slices in a cast-iron skillet. — Lemon Chicken Orzo Skillet with Broccoli. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Recipes that combine fresh flavors and hearty textures always find their way into weekly planning. Lemon Chicken Orzo Skillet with Broccoli fits perfectly into that category for anyone looking for rich elements without fuss. Everything cooks right in the skillet, making cleanup easier for busy evenings. Perfect for weekdays when cooking needs to be fast but still offers variety.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Skillet with Broccoli

Easy Beef Stroganoff Soup

A white bowl of Beef Stroganoff Soup topped with sour cream and chopped parsley. — Easy Beef Stroganoff Soup. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Transforming a classic recipe into soup makes this one ideal for chilly nights or group dinners. Easy Beef Stroganoff Soup takes everything people love about beef stroganoff into a comforting format. It works perfectly for last-minute dinner plans or when unexpected guests show up. It’s hearty but doesn’t need complicated prep steps to taste great.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stroganoff Soup

Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

A bowl of Asian noodle salad with vegetables and chopsticks, surrounded by lime, peanuts, sauce, and fresh cilantro on a light wooden table with a plaid napkin. — Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Light but packed with flavor, this meal works perfectly as both a main and a side dish to dinners. Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing brings a refreshing twist to pasta servings. It’s perfect for gatherings when you need something simple but impressive at the same time. No complex steps yet, feels like something special when served.
Get the Recipe: Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing