10 Budget-Friendly Pasta Recipes for College Students

Are you a college student on a tight budget? Do you love pasta but feel like it’s too expensive to make? Don’t worry, because there are lots of pasta recipes that won’t break the bank and will satisfy your cravings. 

In this article, we’ll go over 10 delicious and easy-to-make pasta recipes that are perfect for college students.

1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian pasta dish that only requires a few ingredients. All you need is spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that you can make in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. spaghetti
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
2. While the spaghetti is cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook until the garlic is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Drain the spaghetti and add it to the pan with the garlic and oil.
5. Toss the spaghetti until it’s coated with the garlic and oil.
6. Add salt to taste and serve.

2. Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is a creamy and delicious pasta dish that is easy to make. It only requires a few ingredients, and you can make it in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. fettuccine
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions.
2. While the fettuccine is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the heavy cream to the saucepan and stir.
4. Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the saucepan and stir until it’s melted and combined with the cream.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Drain the fettuccine and add it to the saucepan with the Alfredo sauce.
7. Toss the fettuccine until it’s coated with the sauce.
8. Serve.

3. Pesto Pasta

Pesto pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for college students on a budget. All you need is pasta, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. This is a quick and delicious meal that you can make in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain the pasta and add it to a bowl.
3. Add the pesto to the bowl with the pasta and toss until the pasta is coated with the pesto.
4. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and toss again.
5. Serve.

4. Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish that’s simple yet flavorful. It’s a great option for college students who want a quick and easy meal that’s packed with protein.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. spaghetti
• 4 slices of bacon or pancetta, diced
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon or pancetta in a pan over medium heat until it’s crispy.
3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and Parmesan cheese together.
4. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the bacon or pancetta.
5. Pour the egg mixture over the pasta and toss until the pasta is coated with the egg mixture.
6. Add black pepper and salt to taste and serve.

5. One-Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta is a quick and easy pasta dish that only requires one pot to cook. It’s a great option for college students who don’t have a lot of time or want to minimize dishes. You can change the ingredients to suit your tastes, but here is a basic recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Add the pasta, chicken or vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, and dried basil to a pot.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
3. Cook the pasta in the pot for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

6. Tomato and Basil Pasta

Tomato and basil pasta is a simple yet delicious pasta dish that only requires a few ingredients. It’s a great option for college students who want a quick and easy meal that’s packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the diced tomatoes to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the chopped basil to the pan and stir.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the tomato and basil mixture.
6. Toss the pasta until it’s coated with the mixture.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

7. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Garlic butter shrimp pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for seafood lovers. It’s a creamy and flavorful dish that you can make in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta
• 1/2 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook until they’re pink and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the heavy cream to the pan and stir.
6. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the shrimp and cream sauce.
7. Toss the pasta until it’s coated with the sauce.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

8. Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a classic Italian pasta dish that is perfect for college students who want a budget-friendly meal that can be made in large batches and reheated throughout the week. It’s a hearty and filling dish that’s perfect for cold nights or when you need a comfort food fix.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ziti pasta
• 1 lb. ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the jar of pasta sauce to the pan and stir.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and sauce mixture.
6. Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to the bowl and mix well.
7. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
8. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

9. Pesto Pasta

Pesto pasta is a simple and flavorful dish that’s perfect for college students who want a quick and easy meal that’s packed with flavor. You can make your own pesto or use store-bought pesto for convenience.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the pesto in a pan over low heat.
3. Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the pesto and toss until the pasta is coated with the pesto.
4. Add grated Parmesan cheese to the pan and stir.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

10. Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish that’s simple yet flavorful. It’s a great option for college students who want a quick and easy meal that’s packed with protein.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. spaghetti
• 4 slices of bacon or pancetta, diced
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon or pancetta in a pan over medium heat until it’s crispy.
3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and Parmesan cheese together.
4. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the bacon or pancetta.
5. Pour the egg mixture over the pasta and toss until the pasta is coated with the egg mixture.
6. Add black pepper to taste and serve.

Conclusion

College students can enjoy delicious and budget-friendly pasta dishes with these easy-to-follow recipes. 

From classic dishes like spaghetti carbonara to one-pot pasta meals, these recipes are perfect for students who want to save money and time without sacrificing flavor. 

Experiment with different ingredients and customize these recipes to your liking. Happy cooking!