“What’s for dinner?” It’s the question every parent hears at least once a day, usually right when you’re at your most tired and least inspired. When that happens, pasta is your friend. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and easy for little hands to manage — no wonder kids love it as much as parents do.
Here are 9 simple pasta recipes that are quick from pot to plate and genuinely tried and tested on kids.
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Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes Kids Will Love
#1. Ham & Pea Pasta
Wondering what to make with your leftovers? Try your hand at this hearty ham and pea pasta dish. The leftover Sunday ham always gets made into this meal, and it’s a firm family favourite.
#2. Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuck into this vibrant and fresh pasta salad from SafeFood, a twist on the traditional dish. You can make some adjustments, like adding a squeeze of lemon juice for a zesty pop, or sneaking in whatever veggies you need to use up. It also doubles up as a lunchbox favourite, giving your kids a change from sandwiches.
#3. Pasta with Smoked Salmon and Peas
Image: Wholefoodrepublic
Get some omega-3 into your child’s diet with this easy and delicious salmon pasta recipe from Wholefood Republic. You’ll only need a package of smoked salmon, some crème fraîche, frozen peas and a few other ingredients to rustle up this yummy dish.
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#4. Tuna Pasta Casserole
Who doesn’t love a good casserole? The melted, crunchy baked-in cheese in this tasty tuna pasta casserole is something to look forward to. It’s also an easy dish to prepare if you’re short on time, and it’s kind on the family food budget.
#5. Tomato and Bacon Pasta
Bring a burst of flavour to your favourite pasta with this yummy bacon and tomato pasta recipe. The salty bacon paired with the sweetness of tinned tomatoes is a winning combination, and this recipe only needs simple ingredients and hardly any preparation.
#6. Pizza Pasta
Combine arguably two of the best carbs out there — pizza and pasta — with this dish. Pasta pizza has all the iconic pizza flavours mixed through fresh pasta, and it will have your kids asking for second helpings.
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#7. Homemade Macaroni Cheese
A firm favourite with most kids, why not try homemade macaroni cheese instead of the packet version? You can’t beat the richness of real melted cheese and an authentic roux sauce, and it only takes eight ingredients to make the whole dish from scratch.
#8. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Add a little kick to dinner with this flavour-filled creamy cajun chicken pasta. It adds a bit of variety to the weekly dinner menu, and it’s quick to make and plate too.
#9. One Pot Pasta Soup
Simple pasta recipes don’t get much easier than this one pot tomato pasta soup. Follow Donal Skehan as he takes you step by step through the recipe in the video below.
The soup makes a wholesome lunch or dinner, and it only takes about five minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the quickest pasta recipe for kids?
One Pot Pasta Soup is the fastest option here — it’s ready in around 30 minutes from start to finish, including cooking time. Tomato and Bacon Pasta and Pizza Pasta are also great choices when you’re short on time, as both use simple, ready-to-hand ingredients.
How can I get a fussy eater to try pasta dishes?
Start with flavours your child already knows and likes, such as a simple tomato or cheese sauce, and introduce new ingredients gradually. Letting kids help stir, sprinkle cheese, or plate up their own bowl can also make them more willing to try something new.
Are these pasta recipes good for lunchboxes?
Yes — several of these, particularly the Tuna Pasta Salad, work well cold and make a nice change from sandwiches. Pack them in an insulated container if your child prefers them at room temperature rather than chilled.
Can I make these pasta dishes ahead of time?
Most of these recipes reheat well, so cooking a larger batch and storing leftovers for a second meal is a handy time-saver on busy weeknights. Always cool and store leftovers promptly and reheat until piping hot.
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Save These Ideas for Later
Loved these pasta ideas? Bookmark this page or save it to your recipe folder so you’ve always got a quick dinner idea on hand for those “what’s for dinner” moments.
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