39 Budget-Friendly Pasta Dinners

Read Time: 17 mins

39 Budget-Friendly Pasta Dinners2/39 Ground Beef Spaghetti Skillet 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ground Beef Spaghetti Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I remember my grandma making this stovetop supper many times—we always loved Granny’s spaghetti! My husband and I now enjoy making this for our dinner. You can easily use ground turkey instead of ground beef if that’s what you happen to have on hand. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 431 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 843mg sodium,

47g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein

47g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. If you’re on a budget, then you should definitely give these affordable dinner recipes a try! 3/39 Ham Ravioli Bake 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ham Ravioli Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I based this recipe on a dish my husband likes to order when we go out for Italian food. Not only does he love it, but my daughter does too! —Jennifer Berger, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 653 calories, 31g fat (16g

saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 1496mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 35g protein. 4/39 Penne Pasta with Ground Beef 91 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Penne Beef Recipe photo by Danielle Moore for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is comfort food at its finest! The best of everything is found here—it’s tasty, easy and a smart way to sneak in some spinach for extra nutrition. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 482 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 33g

carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein

carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein. 5/39 Chicken and Bows 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first made this recipe when I was a professional nanny. It comes together quickly at dinnertime when the kids are hungry. —Danette Forbes, Overland Park, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 536 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 908mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 37g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 very lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 6/39 One-Pot Mac and

We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe!

Cheese 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved One-Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Nicole Perry for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This one-pot mac and cheese is a family favorite, and my 3-year-old is always thrilled to see it coming to the dinner table. We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 344 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. 7/39 Nutty Cheese Tortellini

so I always have some on hand

2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Nutty Cheese Tortellini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 3 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to plant Italian flat-leaf parsley in a long terra-cotta planter so I always have some on hand. It adds bright, fresh flavor to this pasta dish. —Barbara Penatzer, Vestal, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 650 calories, 48g fat (25g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 677mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. 8/39 Spaghetti with Four Cheeses 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spaghetti with Four Cheeses Recipe photo

This creamy and cheesy spaghetti dish is my mainstay whenever company’s coming

by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy and cheesy spaghetti dish is my mainstay whenever company’s coming. The recipe, handed down from my aunt, is on the table in 30 minutes. As cook and hostess, I never feel hurried preparing this meal. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 470 calories, 28g fat (17g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. 9/39 Fiesta Ravioli 25 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings

The ravioli taste like mini enchiladas

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I adapted this recipe to suit our taste for spicy food. The ravioli taste like mini enchiladas. I serve them with a Mexican-inspired salad and pineapple sherbet for dessert. —Debbie Purdue, Freeland, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 470 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 1342mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 23g protein. 10/39 Meatball Stroganoff 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Meatball Stroganoff Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family comes running

when I make this supper

when I make this supper. It’s one of those things you throw together after work on a busy day because you know it works. —Julie May, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 717 calories, 57g fat (30g saturated fat), 172mg cholesterol, 1291mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 11/39 Stuffed Pasta Shells 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These savory shells never fail to make a big impression, even though the recipe is very easy.

From browning beef to cooking the pasta and melting the

One or two of these shells makes a great individual serving, so a single batch goes a long way. —Jena Coffey, St. Louis, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 314 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 576mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. 12/39 Beef Tortellini 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Beef Tortellini Skillet Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tortellini dish is a one-skillet-wonder the family craves. From browning beef to cooking the pasta and melting the

cheese, everything happens in one pan

cheese, everything happens in one pan. You can add basil or chives for a touch of freshness. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 566 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein. 13/39 BLT Skillet 39 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved BLT Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor

and texture

and texture. —Edrie O’Brien, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 314 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 14g protein. 14/39 Manicotti 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheese Manicotti Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the first meal I ever cooked for my husband and all these years later, he still enjoys every bite. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed manicotti: 361 calories, 13g fat (6g

This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with fresh garden produce

saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1124mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. 15/39 Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine 33 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with fresh garden produce. It’s tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a sprinkling of feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 527 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1051mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 21g protein. 16/39 Taco Mac and Cheese 12

Simply warm it up and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and cheese

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Saucy Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This zesty taco mac and cheese is just as yummy the next day. Simply warm it up and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and cheese. —JoLynn Fribley, Nokomis, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 465 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 1413mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 17/39 Beef Noodle Casserole 25 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1

hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was working on the local election board in the ’50s, one of my co-workers gave me this recipe, and it has been a family favorite ever since. It’s quick to make for unexpected company or easily doubled for a potluck.—Mary Hinman, Escondido, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 436 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. 18/39 Pressure-Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pressure-Cooker Cajun Chicken Alfredo Recipe photo by

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