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Cheap Pasta Dishes for Family
Cost: $6-12 for whole family | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20-30 min | Serves: 4-6
Pasta is the great equalizer of family cooking. It's fast, kids love it, and it stretches every ingredient you throw at it. These cheap pasta dishes for family dinners prove you don't need much money to feed everyone well. Each recipe serves 4-6 people for under $12 total.
1. One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Cost: $6.50 | 20 minutes | One pot to clean
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 1 lb spaghetti ($1.20)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes ($1.10)
- 4 cups water ($0)
- 1 onion, thinly sliced ($0.50)
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ($0.30)
- 1 tsp sugar ($0.05)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning ($0.10)
- 2 tbsp olive oil ($0.40)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil or 1 tsp dried ($0.50)
- Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
- Parmesan for topping ($0.85)
- Bread to serve ($1.50)
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine pasta, crushed tomatoes, water, onion, garlic, seasonings, and olive oil.
- Bring to boil over high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10-12 minutes until pasta is tender and has absorbed most liquid.
- The starchy pasta water creates a thick, glossy sauce naturally.
- Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in basil.
- Serve with parmesan and garlic bread.
Nutrition (per serving): ~320 calories | 11g protein | 58g carbs | 6g fat
2. Baked Mac and Cheese
Cost: $9.20 | 45 minutes | Kids will ask for seconds
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 1 lb elbow macaroni ($1.00)
- 3 tbsp butter ($0.30)
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour ($0.10)
- 3 cups milk ($1.20)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar ($2.40)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella ($1.20)
- 1 tsp mustard powder ($0.10)
- 1 tsp garlic powder ($0.10)
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs ($0.40)
- 1 tbsp butter for topping ($0.10)
- Side salad ($2.30)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package says (it'll finish in oven).
- Make béchamel: melt butter, whisk in flour, cook 1 min. Slowly whisk in milk, cook until thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in cheeses, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix sauce with drained pasta. Transfer to greased 9x13 pan.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
3. Ground Turkey Bolognese
Cost: $11.80 | 40 minutes | Meaty and satisfying
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 1 lb ground turkey ($4.50)
- 1 lb pasta ($1.00)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes ($1.10)
- 1 can tomato paste ($0.70)
- 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 stalks celery ($1.20)
- 4 cloves garlic ($0.25)
- 1/2 cup milk ($0.30)
- Italian seasoning, salt, pepper ($0.20)
- 2 tbsp olive oil ($0.40)
- Parmesan ($0.85)
- Fresh pasta or garlic bread ($2.00)
Instructions
- Finely dice onion, carrots, and celery (this is the soffritto — the flavor base).
- Sauté vegetables in olive oil over medium heat for 8 minutes until softened.
- Add turkey. Cook breaking it up, until no pink remains.
- Add tomato paste and cook 2 minutes, stirring.
- Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Stir in milk (this makes it silky and rich). Season well.
- Serve over pasta with plenty of parmesan.
4. Pasta Primavera with Frozen Vegetables
Cost: $8.40 | 20 minutes | Great way to eat more vegetables
Ingredients (serves 5)
- 1 lb penne or rotini ($1.00)
- 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables ($2.20)
- 3 tbsp butter ($0.30)
- 4 cloves garlic ($0.25)
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved) ($0)
- 1/2 cup parmesan ($0.80)
- Zest of 1 lemon ($0.30)
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes
- Garlic bread ($1.50)
- Extra parmesan ($0.85)
- Fresh parsley optional ($0.20)
Instructions
- Cook pasta, saving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- In same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, cook 1 min.
- Add frozen vegetables, cook 4 minutes until heated through.
- Add drained pasta, lemon zest, parmesan, and 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Toss vigorously — pasta water + parmesan creates a creamy sauce.
- Season generously. Add more pasta water if needed. Serve with garlic bread.
5. Creamy Sausage Pasta
Cost: $10.50 | 25 minutes | The whole family will rave
Ingredients (serves 5)
- 3/4 lb Italian sausage ($3.50)
- 1 lb rigatoni ($1.00)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half ($1.20)
- 1 can diced tomatoes ($0.90)
- 1 onion, 4 garlic cloves ($0.70)
- 1 tsp fennel seeds optional ($0.10)
- Red pepper flakes, salt, pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley ($0.40)
- Parmesan ($0.85)
- 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.20)
- Bread ($1.65)
Instructions
- Remove sausage from casings. Brown in oil over medium-high heat, breaking up. Remove and set aside.
- In same pan, sauté onion and garlic 5 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Return sausage to pan. Add cream. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss with cooked rigatoni. Finish with basil and parmesan.
Family Pasta Tips
- Always salt pasta water generously — it's the only chance to season the pasta itself
- Save pasta water — it's liquid gold that makes any sauce silky
- Buy pasta in bulk — 5 lb bags at warehouse stores are 60% cheaper per pound
- Freeze extra sauce — double the bolognese recipe, freeze half for a free meal later
- Short pasta for chunky sauces, long pasta for smooth sauces — better sauce pickup
Pasta Cooking Essentials
- Large Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid - No colander needed ($35)
- Instant Pot 6 Quart - Make pasta sauce fast ($89)
- Glass Meal Prep Containers - Store pasta leftovers ($20)