4 easy, cheap pasta recipes perfect for quick dinners

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Pasta is always an acceptable meal, and has become a fast and convenient weeknight meal, thanks to an array of jarred sauces and options in the freezer section of grocery stores.

But sometimes store-bought just won’t do. You might have some squash begging to finally be used along with a box of farfalle, or sausage that’s destined for a creamy sauce mixed with rigatoni. Just a little extra work makes an entree that is far and away better than anything you can pour from a jar or thaw in a pan.

For those moments when a freezer-burned bag of ravioli won’t do, we’ve put together a list of easy and inexpensive pasta recipes that are perfect for a cheap but impressive night in. Some of these might even become repeat favorites in your house.

Simmer for hours to make a classic Ragu Bolognese

Ragu Bolognese is a perfect chilly fall or winter dish because of how long it simmers on the stove. After searing pork and beef along with some vegetables in a Dutch oven, the sauce is brought up to a simmer with the addition of red wine, beef stock and tomato puree.

Then it sits for at least three hours, reducing until it becomes a velvety-smooth texture and a rich, hearty taste.

Your entire house will smell like this sauce, so apartment-dwellers beware.

Read the full recipe.

Embrace fall flavors with this Bacon and Butternut Squash Pasta

Carbs, salty bacon and flavorful squash combine for this hearty bowl of comfort food.

Roast the butternut squash on a sheet pan along with the bacon for a quick, mess-free preparation while you bring a pot of water to boil for the pasta. This dish is a simple, no-fuss option for an elevated weeknight meal.

Finish with some freshly-grated Parmesan cheese and you’ve got a new favorite comfort meal.

Read the full recipe.

Enjoy this hearty Baked Pasta with Broccoli and Sausage

Sausage, half-and-half, olive oil and cheese combine to create a sauce that can only be described as luxurious.

My favorite thing about this recipe is how balanced the sausage and broccoli are. It’s not overloaded with sausage to make it seem too heavy, nor is it filled to the brim with broccoli to make picky eaters turn up their noses at it.

If you’re trying to avoid doing any more dishes than necessary, you can even do all of this recipe in one heavy-bottomed Dutch oven.

Read the full recipe.

This Lemony Capers Pasta is a light meal that comes together in 20 minutes

This pasta goes the opposite direction as the others on this list. While still comforting, it’s much lighter and would be perfect in warmer months.

Citrus meets briny capers for an airy dish that uses only seven ingredients and comes together in 20 minutes. Toss in some shrimp or grilled chicken for a more substantial meal filled with protein. Or serve it alongside roasted salmon for a simple side dish that will surely impress guests.

It doesn’t require any special equipment, although a garlic press and citrus juicer come in handy.

Read the full recipe.