Budget-friendly pasta recipes (2024)

Showing 1 to 24 of 34 results

  • Easy tomato pasta

    A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.82 ratings

    Make this simple tomato and cheese pasta dish for a delicious, filling and budget-friendly supper. It is a great way to use up storecupboard ingredients

    • 40 mins
    • Easy
  • Sausage ragu

    A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.441 ratings

    Feed the family this comforting, budget-friendly sausage ragu with pasta. You can freeze the leftovers for another time and it tastes just as good

    • 50 mins
    • Easy
  • Spaghetti puttanesca

    A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.160 ratings

    Cook up this classic sauce in one pan, then toss with spaghetti for a simple midweek meal. It's budget-friendly too, making it a great meal for the family

    • 35 mins
    • Easy
  • App onlyFridge-raid one-pan pesto pasta. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.

    A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.6 ratings

    Use up odds and ends hanging around in the fridge to make this pasta. Try courgettes instead of peppers, or other leafy greens in place of the spinach

    • 35 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • Creamy garlic pasta

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.5 ratings

    This creamy tagliatelle recipe makes a comforting midweek meal. Any long pasta will work, so use whatever you have in the cupboard

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
  • Cacio e pepe

    A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.23 ratings

    Whip up a simple cacio e pepe for a speedy lunch. With four simple ingredients – spaghetti, pepper, parmesan and butter – this is a storecupboard favourite

    • 15 mins
    • Easy
  • Creamy edamame pesto pasta with rocket salad

    A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.7 ratings

    Make a budget-friendly family meal with our quick and easy edamame pesto pasta. Use wholemeal spaghetti for added fibre if you prefer

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • Turkey pasta bake

    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.2 ratings

    Make the most of leftover Christmas turkey (or chicken) and use it in a low-cost, easy pasta bake. A few leftover pigs in blankets make for a nice surprise, too

    • 40 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.227 ratings

    Serve your pasta with a budget-friendly bacon, tomato and paprika sauce. It's a healthy choice to boot

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
  • A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.9 ratings

    Try this budget-friendly twist on the classic carbonara with seasonal swede, pancetta and plenty of parmesan. Need a comforting simple supper? This is it

    • 45 mins
    • Easy
  • Brown butter linguine

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.3 ratings

    Cook this simple brown butter linguine as a filling meal for one. It's a budget option and only takes 20 minutes to make – ideal for busy weeknights

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.100 ratings

    A creamy and comforting quick pasta recipe, ideal for when you're short on time

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
  • Sausage pasta

    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.283 ratings

    Tomato, onion and garlic pasta sauce with sausage chunks for a bit of substance – brilliant for students (and as a hangover cure)

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
  • Smoked salmon pasta

    A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.39 ratings

    This simple smoked salmon spaghetti dish is ready in just 20 minutes and makes the most of affordable ingredients. It's flavoured with fresh citrus, herbs and a kick of chilli

    • 20 mins
    • Easy
  • Cheesy broccoli pasta bake

    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.274 ratings

    This creamy broccoli pasta is a speedy, satisfying and affordable meal which you can make in just 30 minutes. Use the grill instead of the oven to save time

    • 30 mins
    • Easy
    • Vegetarian
  • Tuna pasta bake

    A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.308 ratings

    Whip up this cheap treat using storecupboard ingredients, tinned tuna and sweetcorn

    • 50 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.108 ratings

    This freezable, family-friendly recipe is economical and has a wonderful comfort-food feel about it

    • 1 hr 15 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.24 ratings

    This thrifty pasta dish of Savoy greens and crispy 'pangrattato' breadcrumbs is delicious in its simplicity

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.98 ratings

    This low fat, tasty pasta supper can be rustled up from tins and packets in the storecupboard

    • 35 mins
    • Easy
  • One-pan spaghetti

    Cook an easy dinner for one with this simple one-pan spaghetti. It’s salty, savoury and umami-rich with garlic, broccoli, anchovies and a golden breadcrumb topping.

  • A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.56 ratings

    This quick, tasty and economical supper is a healthy way of getting the family fed

    • 40 mins
    • Easy
  • A star rating of 4 out of 5.36 ratings

    Add some veg to pasta and pesto for a cheap, healthy springtime supper dish

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
    • Healthy
    • Vegetarian
  • Macaroni cheese with mushrooms

    A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.7 ratings

    A lighter dish than the original, simple to make and very cheap, perfect for students.

    • 25 mins
    • Easy
Budget-friendly pasta recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to plain pasta? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

What can I put in pasta if I don't have anything? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

Is pasta the cheapest meal? ›

Pasta-tively, cheap!

Pasta is on our list of cheap foods, and it is a food you can make in many ways. Generic red sauce, alfredo sauce, baked pasta, ravioli, mac and cheese, and much more. You can add any protein or veggie to your pasta dish and call it a pasta-rrific cheap meal.

How to jazz up boring pasta? ›

Fresh or dried herbs will also add flavor to pasta dishes.

"I use a lot of parsley, either fresh or even dried," Montillo said. "Oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, black pepper all work well in a variety of sauces."

How do you doctor up plain pasta? ›

Depending on how bare your cupboard is, I have done a few things.
  1. Boil with a garlic clove and salt. The garlic adds a bit of flavor and then I remove it, mash it and re-add it to the pasta.
  2. Olive oil or butter and herbs. ...
  3. Butter, eggs, and cheese. ...
  4. Fried eggs and cheese. ...
  5. Tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, herbs.
Nov 4, 2018

How to dress up plain spaghetti? ›

6 simple ways to dress up a spaghetti dinner
  1. Bread Crumb Spaghetti. This one's another extra-simple dinner. ...
  2. Drunken Spaghetti With Shrimp (Spaghetti Khii Mao). ...
  3. Spaghetti With Shrimp and Pesto. ...
  4. Spaghetti Puttanesca With Cannellini Beans. ...
  5. Spaghetti Alla Chitarra.
Aug 24, 2020

What can I add to bland pasta? ›

Herbs and Spices: Add a variety of herbs and spices to enhance flavor. Common choices include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Fresh herbs can bring a burst of freshness to the sauce. Tomato Paste: Stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato.

What can I add to pasta that is healthy? ›

Ingredients used to make healthy pasta

For this pasta recipe, we're going all-in with the veggies. Using onion, broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes, pepper, and spinach, this is a vegetable-packed meal that provides key nutrients and lots of flavor! For the liquid, I like to use broth for maximum taste.

How to eat for 20 dollars a week? ›

Your Shopping List
  1. 1 bag of dried beans: $1.49.
  2. 2 pounds of chicken breast: $3.76.
  3. 1 jar of peanut butter: $1.98.
  4. 1 jar of jelly: $1.79.
  5. 1 loaf of whole wheat bread: $1.63.
  6. 1 dozen eggs: $1.26.
  7. 1 container of oatmeal: $1.35.
  8. 1 bag of dried lentils: $1.39.

How can I save money on cooking pasta? ›

Come off the boil

Did you know you don't have to cook pasta in boiling water for the full time on the pack? Simply boil the pasta for 2 minutes, then stir, turn off the heat and cover. The pasta will cook in the residual heat for the normal specified cooking time.

How to eat healthy when you're broke? ›

6 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget
  1. #1: Plan Your Recipes. Planning ahead allows you to think about your food needs, tastes, and budget. ...
  2. #2: Shop With a List. ...
  3. #3: Buy Frozen or Canned. ...
  4. #4: Cut Cost With Coupons. ...
  5. #5: Buy Store Brands. ...
  6. #6: Try Growing a Garden. ...
  7. Healthy Eating: Not “One Size Fits All”

How to make pasta for idiots? ›

Pasta Cooking for Dummies
  1. #1 Salted water. 10:100:1000. ...
  2. #2 Boiling water. Add the pasta to the water once it's boiling, not before. ...
  3. #3 No oil, never rinse. Please, just no. ...
  4. #4 Test for doneness. The sauce shall always wait for the pasta, never the other way round. ...
  5. #5 Reserve cooking water.
Sep 8, 2020

How do you pimp up pasta? ›

13 Ways to Make Any Jarred Pasta Sauce Better
  1. Start with the right pasta and sauce. ...
  2. Season with dried herbs. ...
  3. Or flavor with fresh herb sprigs. ...
  4. Double up on tomato goodness. ...
  5. Add more garlic and/or onions. ...
  6. Sweeten and thicken with squash purée. ...
  7. Punch things up with a pinch of chili flakes. ...
  8. Try this secret ingredient.
Dec 9, 2022

What to add to pasta when you have no sauce? ›

Boil the noodles, melt some butter, sauté minced garlic, add halved cherry tomatoes. Next, stir in Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Mix all of this with some of the pasta cooking water and add the cooked noodles. Lastly, garnish with a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese on top.

How to elevate plain pasta? ›

Easy Ways to Elevate Your Pasta
  1. Add shiitake “bacon” Shiitake “bacon” was an NGI staple, and for good reason. ...
  2. Get creative with pesto. Pesto can be made with anything from herbs, to leafy greens, to the tops of carrots or beets. ...
  3. Include cheese alternatives. ...
  4. Spiralize your veggies. ...
  5. Keep it simple.
Jan 3, 2023

How do you make plain pasta tastier? ›

Melt butter with garlic very slowly to avoid burning the garlic. Season with parsley, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated with butter. Increase the heat to medium and cook until pasta is heated through and has absorbed some of the butter.

What food can you add to pasta? ›

These easy pasta recipes rely on ingredients you've likely got stowed in your pantry—olive oil, beans, tomatoes, tuna, olives—along with staple ingredients like lemons, garlic butter, Parmesan, and more garlic.

References

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