Best Skillet Pasta Recipes

PASTA SKILLET WITH KIELBASA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil for pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a deep skillet. Add onion and garlic to the hot oil and saute just until tender, about 5 minutes. Add kielbasa to the skillet and cook and stir until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, sugar, balsamic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper. Reduce heat and let sauce simmer while you cook pasta.
• Add penne to the pot of boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes, stirring peas into pasta during last 2 minutes of cooking time.
• Drain pasta and transfer to sauce. Stir to combine and add basil. Heat over medium-low heat so pasta can absorb liquid from sauce, about 5 minutes. Stir in Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese and serve.

SIMPLE ONE-SKILLET CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
• Melt the butter in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, in batches if necessary, and sauté until nicely browned on the outside, but still a bit pink inside, about 4 minutes (the pieces don't have to be browned on all sides; two sides is fine). Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
• Do not clean the pan! Those brown bits on the bottom of the pan are going to add flavor to the sauce. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté over medium heat until you can smell it, 30 seconds. Turn the heat to high, add the chicken broth, and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen up all of those delicious caramelized bits. Bring to a simmer, lower to medium heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pasta, stir well, and simmer until the pasta starts to soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in the warm cream and the browned chicken with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, most of the liquid has been absorbed, and the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes more.
• Stir in the Parmesan until well incorporated, and adjust the seasonings.
• Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the parsley, if desired. Serve hot and pass extra Parmesan at the table.
• Alfredo Add-Ins
• When you add the Parmesan in Step 4, you can add any of the following to the pot, alone or in combination; stir over medium heat for another minute or two. 1 tablespoon puréed chipotles in adobo sauce 4 cups sliced mushrooms, sautéed 3 cups lightly cooked tiny broccoli florets 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, such as oregano, thyme, or parsley Or, you can serve up portions of Chicken Alfredo Pasta for those who like it plain and simple, and add proportionate amounts of any of the add-ins to the pot.
• Make Ahead
• While it's certainly reasonable to thrill over a meal of reheated leftover Alfredo pasta, either warmed on the stovetop or in the microwave, this dish is best when it's made just before serving.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
• Mix together the ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Tear the sausage into 1- to 2-inch chunks and place in the skillet. Cook for 60 to 90 seconds, then flip and cook for an additional minute. Add the oregano, crushed red pepper, garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Stir in the broccolini and jarred peppers. Using a ladle, remove 2/3 cup cooking water from the pasta pot and add to the skillet. Cook until the sauce is thickened and the broccolini is softened, about 3 minutes.
• Drain the pasta once cooked.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the pasta, lemon juice, yellow tomatoes and Parmesan. Dollop on the ricotta mixture; tear the basil leaves into large pieces and sprinkle them over the skillet. Serve the bread alongside the pasta, whole or torn into large chunks.

SKILLET PASTA AND BEEF DINNER

Steps:

• 1. Brown ground beef in 12-inch skillet; drain.
• 2. Stir in Pasta Sauce and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in uncooked rotini and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook covered, stirring occasionally, 14 minutes or until rotini is tender. Remove from heat, then sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat until melted; add garlic. Cook and stir constantly about 1 minute or until fragrant. Add broth, pasta, salt and pepper; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium. Cook uncovered 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of liquid is absorbed.
• Stir in whipping cream and Parmesan cheese; cook over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until bubbly. Stir in chicken and frozen sweet peas; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

SKILLET PASTA WITH HAM AND PEAS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the leeks are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ham and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until moistened, 1 minute. Add the half-and-half and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup fontina until melted.
• Meanwhile, preheat the broiler and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente, adding the peas in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and peas.
• Add the pasta and peas to the skillet and toss to coat, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen; season with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining 1 cup fontina and the parmesan. Broil until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

SKILLET CHICKEN PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet. Add onion; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic and lemon peel; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant.
• Add broth; heat to boiling. Stir in pasta, carrots, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook 11 minutes. Uncover; add asparagus and cooked chicken. Cover and cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and asparagus is just tender.
• Stir in cubes of cream cheese, the Parmesan cheese and lemon juice until smooth. Add frozen peas; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until peas are heated through and sauce is creamy.
• Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Sauce will continue to thicken as it stands.

ROAST BEEF PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion in oil and butter until tender. Add roast beef and pepper; heat through. Drain pasta; add to beef mixture. Stir in tomato and cheese.

ZUCCHINI RICOTTA PASTA SKILLET (COOKING FOR 2)

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until zucchini begins to brown. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Remove from skillet.
• Add pasta and broth to same skillet; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 11 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente. (There will be a little liquid left in the skillet.)
• Stir in ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and sautéed zucchini. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and basil. Transfer to serving bowl; garnish with more chopped basil, if desired. Serve with more Parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.

EASY CHEESY CHICKEN & PASTA VEGGIE SKILLET

Steps:

• Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray and cook chicken until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink;drain.
• Add soup and 2 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil.
• Stir in 2 cups of shells macaroni.
• Reduce heat to medium-low;cover with tight-fitting lid.
• Simmer 12 minutes or until macaroni shells are tender.
• Add the Velveeta, thawed vegetables, mushrooms and cumin; stir until the Velveeta is melted and the vegetables are heated through.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
• Add a little bit of crushed red pepper to the dish if you'd like it to have a bit of a kick!

SKILLET LASAGNA DIP WITH PASTA CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Lay each noodle flat on a rimmed baking sheet and thoroughly pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and sausage; cook, stirring often and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and wipe out the pan. Add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and onion and cook until softened, about 2 more minutes. Add garlic and Italian seasoning; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce and cooked meats and remove from heat.
• Dollop with ricotta cheese and pesto. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
• While dip sits, pour vegetable oil to a depth of 3 inches into a Dutch oven; heat over high heat to reach 360 degrees F (182 degrees C).
• Cut each lasagna noodle into desired shapes. Add 8 to 10 pasta pieces, one at a time to avoid them sticking together, and cook, lightly tapping under the oil and stirring with a spider tool occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove using a spider or tongs to a paper towel-lined sheet tray, and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining pasta pieces, allowing oil temperature to reach back to 360 degrees F (182 degrees C) before adding the next batch.
• Sprinkle dip with parsley and basil and serve with hot pasta chips.

KIELBASA & PASTA SKILLET DINNER

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• In a large skillet, saute over medium heat, the sausage and garlic in butter.
• Combine cornstarch and low-fat milk until smooth.
• Gradually add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet.
• Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly or until thickened. (You may reduce the heat to medium after this comes to a boil to keep from scorching mixture).
• Drain pasta and add to skillet.
• Stir in peas and cook over medium heat until they are tender.
• Reduce heat to medium low, add cheese and cook until cheese is melted.

THAI CHICKEN PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add snap peas and carrots; stir-fry 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add chicken, peanut sauce and spaghetti; heat through, tossing to combine., Transfer to a serving plate. Top with cucumber and, if desired, cilantro.

LASAGNA SKILLET PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic to the pan, stirring often, until soft. Move the onions and garlic to the edges of the pan. Add ground beef, McCormick® Dried Oregano, salt, and pepper to the center of the pan, breaking up the meat into smaller pieces. Let the beef sit undisturbed for a moment so the beef browns slightly. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until almost no pink remains.
• Add tomato paste to the pan and stir to combine. Add crushed tomatoes and chicken stock to skillet. Bring to a boil and add noodles to skillet, stirring so noodles are submerged. Lower heat to medium, cover with a lid, and cook for about 10 minutes, until noodles are al dente.
• Remove from heat, then stir in shredded mozzarella. Spoon dollops of ricotta over the pasta, cover with lid, and let sit for a few minutes until ricotta melts slightly. Sprinkle fresh basil over pasta and serve.
• Enjoy!

CREAMY PASTA SKILLET WITH BABY BELLA MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
• While pasta cooks, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms and garlic. Cook and stir until mushrooms until soft, about 5 minutes. Add bacon and onion and cook and stir until the onion is transparent, about 5 minutes. Stir in oregano, basil, dried parsley, dried onion, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and salt, which should soak up any grease or liquid in the pan. At this point, everything should look like it's covered in almost a paste.
• Stir in Alfredo sauce. Pour in 2 cups of milk; pour remaining 1/2 cup into the Alfredo sauce jar to clean out and pour into the skillet. Mix everything together over low heat; things will be very thin and runny, and that is what you want. Add mozzarella and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well and let simmer until thickened.
• Fold drained pasta into the sauce. Plate up portions and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

ONE-SKILLET CHICKEN FAJITA PASTA

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente., Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and 4-1/2 teaspoons fajita seasoning; cook and stir until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and keep warm., Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet. Add onion, green pepper and remaining 4-1/2 teaspoons fajita seasoning. Cook and stir until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from pan., In the same skillet, add broth, diced tomatoes, green chiles, cream and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Return macaroni, chicken and vegetables to skillet; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

SKILLET PASTA FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the egg, cottage cheese, ricotta, spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella and herbs., Drain pasta. Place half the sauce in a large skillet; layer with pasta and remaining sauce. Top with cheese mixture., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook until a thermometer reads 160°, 25-30 minutes. , Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese; cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

PASTA, BACON, AND GREEN BEAN SKILLET

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add bacon; cook for 1 minute. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and green beans; bring to a simmer. Add cavatappi; cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 8 to 9 minutes.
• Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the cavatappi mixture. Cover and cook until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

BLT PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• Meanwhile, lay the bacon in a large ovenproof skillet and cook over medium heat until brown and slightly crispy, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the skillet from the heat, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings. Break up the bacon into bite-size pieces.
• Return the skillet to medium heat, add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and juices, reserved pasta water, crushed red pepper, basil, escarole and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and the escarole wilts, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Mix together the ricotta and Parmesan. Add the cooked pasta and mozzarella to the sauce and stir to thoroughly coat. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta-Parmesan mixture on top. Sprinkle with the bacon pieces and bake until bubbly and the cheese melts, 15 to 20 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional basil if using.

ONE-SKILLET PASTA

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook the turkey, onion and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain., Add the tomatoes, broth, mushrooms, brown sugar and chili powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. , Add pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until pasta is tender, 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook until cheese is melted, 2-3 minutes longer.