12 Spaghetti Recipes Easy Enough for Weeknights
If we had to eat one thing for dinner for the rest of our lives, we could certainly make a case for spaghetti. It’s versatile, delicious and even a little bit sexy (just ask Lady and the Tramp). Most importantly, it’s generally super quick to throw together—especially on the dreaded weeknight. Here are 12 easy spaghetti recipes that we rely on day in and day out.
1. One-Pan Spaghetti and Meatballs
Fact: Everyone loves spaghetti and meatballs, and no one loves washing dishes. Enter this magical recipe, where everything cooks together in one harmonious, only-needs-to-be-washed-once pan.
2. Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti carbonara sounds super fancy, but it actually couldn’t be easier to make. We love it for dinner, but it also makes for a simple and sophisticated brunch (pasta is totally allowed in the morning if there are also bacon and eggs, right?).
3. Spaghetti with Avocado Pasta Sauce
Everyone knows that carbs + avocado is a match made in heaven (see toast; also chips and guacamole). So, why not throw pasta into the mix? Combining avocado with garlic, lemon juice and some of the pasta water makes a savory, creamy sauce that’s ready in minutes.
4. Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Herbs
This recipe is so simple that we’re willing to bet you have most of the ingredients on hand already. Plus, the garlic butter will make your house smell ahhhhmazing.
5. One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone
We tend to think of spaghetti as a heavy, sauce-laden thing, but this springy dish is actually—gasp—light and refreshing. Plus, it’s ready in no time and leaves no dirty dishes, so it’s basically on our menu for the rest of our lives.
6. Spaghetti with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Spinach
We don’t tend to think of spaghetti as a health food, but this recipe from Coterie member Maria Lichty might just change our minds. With whole grain pasta and plenty of fresh vegetables, it’s about as guilt-free as a bowl of carbs can get.
7. Classic Baked Spaghetti
When you’re craving lasagna, but you don’t want to spend all day layering noodles and béchamel, this is the baked pasta for you. Just cook the spaghetti, toss it all with butter and Parm, and then top with sauce and cheese. Voilà—comfort food is well within reach.
8. Vegan Zucchini Spaghetti Puttanesca
Whoever said that spaghetti had to be made out of actual pasta? Certainly not Coterie member Ali Maffucci, who specializes in veggie-forward dishes like this vegan version of a deliciously briny Italian classic.
9. Thin Spaghetti with Fennel, Bacon and Parmesan
This genius recipe from Coterie member Katie Workman has only five ingredients, which means less time at the grocery store and in the kitchen. We love the combination of salty bacon and slightly sweet fennel.
10. Spaghetti Salad
This classic pasta salad—with plenty of crunchy veggies and a zesty Italian dressing—is perfect for a crowd. Bring it to a potluck or just double the recipe and pack it up for lunches all week long.
11. Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
We always thought of spaghetti and meatballs as a weekend-only kind of dinner. But that’s before we had an Instant Pot, which makes Sunday sauce on a Tuesday timeline.
12. Easy Vegan Pesto-Parmesan Spaghetti with Zucchini
A super-healthy, totally plant-based meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes? Consider all of our problems solved.
