Cheap Pasta Dinner for Families
This budget-friendly pasta dinner is quick, comforting, and perfect for busy families. Using pantry staples like pasta, canned tomatoes, and frozen vegetables, it stretches to feed a crowd without straining your wallet.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta spaghetti, penne, elbow macaroni, or fusilli
- 24 oz marinara sauce or 2 cans diced tomatoes, or 3 tbsp tomato paste + 1½ cups water
- 1 onion medium, chopped (or 1 tsp onion powder)
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable, sunflower oil, or butter
- 1 tsp dried oregano or basil optional
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken or canned tuna, beans, or ground turkey
- 1 cup frozen peas or spinach, zucchini, broccoli, or carrots
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese mozzarella, cheddar, or parmesan (optional)
- fresh herbs parsley, basil, or green onion, for garnish (optional)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat oil. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce (or tomatoes/paste with water). Simmer 5–7 minutes, seasoning with oregano or basil if using.
- Stir in vegetables and cook until tender, about 3–5 minutes.
- Fold in shredded chicken or other protein to heat through.
- Toss cooked pasta with sauce, using reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
- Serve hot, topped with cheese or fresh herbs if available.
Notes
For a one-pot version, cook pasta directly in the sauce with added water or broth. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 16gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 3.4mg
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