5 Easy Delicious Pasta Recipes For Busy Moms

Being a busy mom often means juggling numerous tasks, leaving little time for elaborate meal preparation. However, delicious and nutritious meals don’t have to be time-consuming. Here are five quick and delightful pasta recipes that will make dinner time a breeze.

1. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta (your choice)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Pour in the heavy cream, bringing it to a simmer. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

2. One-Pot Spinach and Tomato Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
3. Stir in the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
4. During the last few minutes of cooking, add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

3. Pesto Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup pesto sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
3. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to soften.
4. Stir in the pesto sauce and cooked pasta, tossing to coat everything evenly.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

4. Pink Sauce Salmon Pasta Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta (penne or spaghetti works well)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup smoked salmon, cut into small pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
4. Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, mixing until the sauce turns a pinkish color.
5. Gently fold in the smoked salmon pieces, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing until well coated with the sauce.
7. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.

5. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
3. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Pour in lemon juice and white wine (if using), simmering until the liquid reduces slightly.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the cooked spaghetti in the skillet until well mixed.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

These five pasta recipes are perfect for busy moms who need to whip up something quick yet delicious for their families. With simple ingredients and easy steps, dinner time can become stress-free and enjoyable.