I’m a firm believer in eating carbs as often as possible. Whether that be in the form of potatoes, bread, rice, or pasta recipes. While I studied abroad in Australia, my diet mostly consisted of fried rice and spaghetti, which are great dishes for any college kid to make. I’ve currently expanded my repertoire of pasta dishes and now have a few easy pasta recipes that I make whenever I want a dish that’s filling, delicious, and simple to make. Even if you aren’t an experienced chef you should be able to make these, so do it!
Aglio e Olio
This Italian dish is something everyone should have in their recipe arsenal. I made it for the first time after watching a Binging With Babish episode and was stunned by not only how cheap it was but also how tasty it was. The perfect combination of citrus, garlic, fresh parsley, and pepper the pasta will keep you coming back for more. If you’re willing to spend a bit more consider adding fresh parmesan and some shrimp to the dish!
Pesto pasta salad
If you’re looking to shed a few pounds, this is the pasta dish for you. Perfect for picnics or to take to work, this salad is loaded with fresh veggies and can be served warm or cold. Want to be even fancier? Make the pesto yourself. All you need is a blender and a few other ingredients.
Baked macaroni and cheese
A bit more cumbersome to make than Kraft mac n’ cheese, this baked dish will be more than worth from your very first bite. If you’re lactose-intolerant, steer clear of this easy pasta recipe!
Pasta puttanesca
If the kids from A Series of Unfortunate Events can make this dish, I’m sure you can too. Popularized for being Italian prostitutes’ go-to meal between clients, this quick pasta recipe is sure to satisfy.
Spaghetti and meatballs
The most difficult part of this dish is waiting for the meatballs to bake. Have some fun while and invite a friend or date over to help you make it, afterwards you could even watch Lady and the Tramp.
Roasted bell pepper pasta
This simple recipe tastes way fancier than it is. Buy canned roasted bell peppers (or roast them yourself!) and blend them up with a few other ingredients and tah dah, you have a decadent sauce you won’t be able to find anywhere else.