Easy Weeknight Pasta Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

After a long day at work, the last thing most parents want is to spend an hour hovering over a hot stove. Pasta has long been the great British weeknight saviour — it cooks in minutes, suits virtually every palate from fussy toddlers to hungry teenagers, and costs next to nothing at your local Tesco, Aldi, or Sainsbury's. Whether you're feeding two or six, these five recipes will become firm fixtures in your weekly rotation.

1. Classic Tomato and Basil Spaghetti

Cost per serving: approximately £0.85

This is the dish that proves simplicity wins. A tin of good-quality chopped tomatoes, a generous handful of fresh basil, and a splash of olive oil is all you need for a sauce that tastes far more effort than it is.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 400g spaghetti
  • 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Large handful fresh basil
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese, to serve

Method

  1. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, gently fry the garlic in olive oil over a medium heat for 2 minutes — do not let it brown.
  3. Add the tinned tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Drain the spaghetti, reserving a cupful of the pasta water.
  5. Toss the pasta through the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen if needed.
  6. Tear over the basil, grate over cheese, and serve immediately.

Tips: Add a pinch of dried chilli flakes for a gentle kick, or stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end for a glossier, richer sauce. Leftover sauce freezes brilliantly — make double and bank the rest.

2. Creamy Mushroom Tagliatelle

Cost per serving: approximately £1.20

Mushrooms give this dish an earthy, satisfying depth. Using a combination of chestnut and closed cup mushrooms — both readily available and affordable in most UK supermarkets — makes a real difference.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 400g tagliatelle
  • 300g mixed mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 shallots, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 150ml single cream
  • 50ml vegetable stock
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh parsley, to serve

Method

  1. Cook the tagliatelle in salted boiling water per packet instructions.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the shallots for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and mushrooms.
  3. Cook the mushrooms for 6–8 minutes until golden and any liquid has evaporated.
  4. Add the thyme, stock, and cream. Simmer gently for 3 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Drain the pasta and toss through the sauce. Season well.
  6. Scatter over fresh parsley and serve.

Tips: A tablespoon of cream cheese stirred in at the end makes the sauce even silkier. Swap cream for oat cream for a dairy-free version.

3. Five-Ingredient Tuna Pasta Bake

Cost per serving: approximately £0.95

A childhood classic, and for good reason. This is the recipe that keeps on giving — it reheats well the next day and can be assembled in advance if you're short on time in the evening.

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

  • 350g penne or rigatoni
  • 2 x 145g tins tuna in spring water, drained
  • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 200ml crème fraîche
  • 100g cheddar, grated
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6.
  2. Cook the pasta until just al dente (2 minutes less than packet time), then drain.
  3. Mix together the tuna, tomatoes, crème fraîche, and half the cheese. Season well.
  4. Combine with the pasta in an ovenproof dish.
  5. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 20 minutes until bubbling and golden.

Tips: Add a handful of frozen peas or sweetcorn to the sauce to sneak in extra veg. Breadcrumbs mixed with the topping cheese add a satisfying crunch.

4. Sausage and Fennel Rigatoni

Cost per serving: approximately £1.50

This is the recipe that surprises guests into thinking you've been cooking for hours. Good-quality pork sausages — a pack of eight from any UK supermarket runs to around £2.50 — are the secret weapon here.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 400g rigatoni
  • 6 pork sausages, skins removed
  • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, and chilli flakes

Method

  1. Cook rigatoni in boiling salted water per packet instructions.
  2. In a wide frying pan, heat oil and fry the onion for 4 minutes until soft.
  3. Add the fennel seeds and garlic, cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add the sausage meat, breaking it up with a spoon, and fry until browned — about 6–8 minutes.
  5. Pour in the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and chilli to taste.
  6. Toss through the drained pasta and serve.

5. Lemon and Courgette Orzo

Cost per serving: approximately £1.10

Orzo — the rice-shaped pasta — has become a supermarket staple over the past few years, and it works beautifully in this bright, summery one-pan dish.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 300g orzo
  • 2 courgettes, diced
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 700ml vegetable stock
  • 50g pecorino or Parmesan, grated
  • Fresh mint, to serve

Method

  1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Fry the courgettes and garlic for 5 minutes until lightly golden.
  2. Add the orzo and stir to coat in the oil for 1 minute.
  3. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring regularly, for 10–12 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  4. Remove from heat, stir in lemon zest, juice, and cheese.
  5. Scatter over fresh mint and serve straight from the pan.

Stretching Your Food Budget Further

Pasta is one of the cheapest staples you can buy — a 500g bag costs as little as 45p at budget supermarkets — and the above recipes demonstrate just how far a modest weekly shop can go. If you're looking to free up more money for food and household essentials, it's worth reviewing your other outgoings. Many households overpay on household bills, credit cards, and insurance without realising it. A visit to QuidCompare lets you compare UK financial products side by side, from savings accounts to credit cards, so you can spot where you might be paying too much and redirect those savings towards things that matter — like a well-stocked storecupboard.

Keeping a basic pasta pantry — dried pasta, tinned tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and a block of hard cheese — means you're always 20 minutes away from a decent meal, no matter what the week throws at you.