As the age-old saying goes: Kids cannot live on buttered noodles alone. Well, not if you can help it. That’s why we’ve we’ve done the research to find kid-friendly pasta recipes that’ll keep your carb-loving crowd happy and shake up your dinner routine. Get the water boiling and check out these recipes, which put a new twist on classic pasta favorites. If you’re looking for something a little cozier, be sure to bookmark some of our favorite slow cooker recipes or sheet pan dinners.
Slow Cooker 12-Layer Lasagna
Catherine McCord of Weelicious is a wealth of information when it comes to kid friendly pasta recipes. Her slow cooker 12-layer lasagna exemplifies her ability to come up with tasty dishes that will please the picky palate and the busy mom. This pasta recipe is a must-make for any parent pressed on time and with hungry stomachs lying in wait.
Instant Pot Cheesy Sausage Pasta Recipe
This kid friendly pasta recipe from Eating in an Instant is so easy to make, and you can adapt it to your family’s taste preferences.
Thai Chicken Pasta Salad
This pasta salad from I Wash You Dry calls for ramen noodles and rotisserie chicken—extra easy!—and sports crisp veggies and a flavorful sauce.
Butternut Squash & Bacon Pasta
The secret to this kid friendly pasta recipe from Dinner at the Zoo? Creamy butternut squash sauce and a smattering of bacon. It’s a hearty dish that your family will go gaga over.
One Pot Tomato Chicken Pasta
The phrase “one pot meal” is music to our ears, and this delish dish is no exception. With cheese, chicken, and mushrooms, we’re pretty sure this one will be an instant hit in your house. To grab the recipe, click here.
Sesame Soy Noodle Bowl
Mix it up on pasta night with a bowl of sesame soy noodles. Not only can this dish be made in a snap, but it also only calls for a few simple (but tasty) ingredients and can be served hot or cold. Plus, you’ll love the leftovers. For the recipe, head on over to Life Made Simple.
Marinara Soup
Did you know that a jar of marinara sauce can turn into a comforting bowl of vegetarian soup in about 20 minutes? It’s better than any magic trick and the best way to turn a chilly weeknight into a warm and toasty good time. Even better: You probably have all the ingredients right now. Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
Related: 13 Instant Pot Freezer Meals For Busy Nights
Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
The genius of this idea from Damn Delicious is that it takes your favorite pasta dish and turns it into an irresistible creamy soup. All it takes is 20 minutes to make, and you can always use store-bought meatballs.
One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
This one’s a winner! Courtesy of Table for Two, this recipe only takes 25 minutes and one pot to make. Plus, it’s like a cheeseburger in pasta form and guaranteed to be a kid hit.
Broccoli Pasta Bake
Say cheese! Not only does this pasta bake from A Taste of Madness sneak some green stuff into your kiddo’s diet, but it also uses ingredients you probably have on hand.
Salmon with Creamy Lemon Spaghetti
Love lemon and salmon? Kitchen Sanctuary combines those divine flavors into a quick and easy meal! Tangy and refreshing, it even includes some sugar snap peas for an added health kick.
Ham and Cheese Pasta Rollup Gratin
Get your hands on fresh pasta sheets (you can usually find them in the refrigerator section of your grocery store) and whip up these creative pasta rollups from The View from Great Island. Add your favorite deli meat and top everything off with a cheesy gratin!
Kid Friendly Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Shrimp scampi is a favorite with kids and this easy version from Tastes Better from Scratch uses three or four basic ingredients. Our only edit is to skip the parmesan cheese at the end.
One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Give your pasta a buffalo twist with a little help from Honey and Birch. This dish sports tangy buffalo sauce and can easily be customized to suit your family’s tastes.
Related: 18 Easy One-Pot Dinners Perfect for Busy Weeknights
Creamy Parmesan Orzo
You’d better bookmark this recipe from Life Made Simple because we guarantee it’s the orzo of your dreams. Creamy, garlic-y, and made in 30 minutes, it’s gonna be your new go-to pasta.
One-Pot Black Bean Enchilada Pasta
Pressed for time? This recipe from Savory Nothings only requires a little bit of time and one pot—but the results are oh-so-tasty. It’s the perfect way to spice up Taco Tuesday!
Pasta with Cream and Ham
Instead of plain buttered pasta, go for this super simple recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes. Find out how it’s done by clicking here.
Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Go back to basics with a tried-and-true, kid-approved recipe. For those nights when the tots are fussing, and the clock is ticking, you can’t go wrong with this 30-minute meal. To see the full recipe, click here.
Related: Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter
Pasta Jambalaya
This yummy take on the classic jambalaya packs an extra punch of healthiness with the addition of veggie puree. Even picky kiddos will love noshing on the yummy sausage and shrimp. Click here to get the recipe.
Pasta al Pastore
This comforting dish comes together in a flash using just five ingredients. Flavorful Italian sausage and ricotta cheese are the stars of the show. Get the full recipe by clicking here.
Pasta Carbonara
Bacon, eggs, and parmesan cheese—what more could you need? Keep things simple with a delicious bowl of pasta carbonara. Find out how it’s done by clicking here.
Pesto Chicken Pasta
Our kiddos go crazy for pesto, and this yummy recipe is a weeknight savior—the addition of chicken breast makes it a filling but quick meal. To find out how it’s done, click here.
Skillet Lasagna
Have you ever read the list of ingredients on one of those “helper” boxes? We can honestly say that we don’t know what half of those words mean. That’s not the case here. This skillet lasagna, which comes to us from Our Family Eats, is full of wholesome, nutritious ingredients that come together to create a creamy, comforting plate of deliciousness.
Baked Ravioli
Give your ravioli a flavor boost with a heaping of yummy meat sauce. After making the ravioli and pasta sauce like you normally would, stick everything in the oven in a baking dish. The outcome is a tasty twist on your traditional ravioli dish. Get the recipe here.
Related: 50+ Slow Cooker Recipes We’re Obsessed With
Kid Friendly Beef Stroganoff
Does anything scream comfort food more than Beef Stroganoff? We don’t think so, and This Mom’s Kitchen has an easy version that you can make in both an Instant Pot or as a stovetop one-pot pasta meal.
Mac and Cheese
You'll never go back to boxed mac and cheese again, thanks to Joy, Food, Sunshine. This kid friendly pasta recipe features sharp cheddar, but you can use a combination of cheeses for a more rich flavor. After one bite of this dish, you'll be hooked.
Baked Ziti
If your kids love Italian food as much as ours do, then this baked ziti pasta recipe is sure to be a hit. Think of it like a lasagna but with more cheese and more creamy goodness. This is a great dish to make in advance and bake when needed. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Bacon, ranch, and pasta? Made in an Instant Pot? All of our favorite flavors come together in this quick and kid-friendly pasta recipe from Meatloaf and Melodrama that you’ll want to bookmark immediately.
One Pot Wonder: Tomato Basil Pasta
It’s no wonder this one-pot pasta recipe won us over. Who wouldn’t want an awesome pasta dish that only gets one pot dirty? Bonus: It's got kid-friendly ingredients and isn't too fancy. Get the details here.
Pasta Primavera
Sometimes nothing hits the spot more than a no-frills vegetable pasta dish. We like that the veggies can always be switched out for whatever you have on hand. Served hot or cold, this pasta recipe is delicious either way. Get the recipe here.
