Budget Pasta Recipes: 25 Delicious Dinners Under $1 Per Serving

Let's be honest: when money is tight, pasta becomes your best friend. It's cheap, filling, and ridiculously versatile. The problem? Most people get stuck making the same three pasta dishes on repeat.

Today, I'm sharing 25 budget pasta recipes that cost less than $1 per serving. These aren't boring, either. We're talking restaurant-quality dinners that'll make your family think you've been secretly taking cooking classes.

Why Pasta is Perfect for Budget Cooking

Pasta checks every box when you're trying to save money without sacrificing flavor:

It's cheap. A pound of pasta costs around $1-2 and feeds 4-6 people. That's about 20-50 cents per serving before you add anything else.

It lasts forever. Dried pasta has a shelf life of 1-2 years. You can stock up when it's on sale without worrying about waste.

It's filling. The carbs in pasta keep you satisfied longer than many other budget staples.

It pairs with everything. Pasta works with whatever vegetables, proteins, or pantry items you have on hand.

The secret to keeping pasta dinners under $1 per serving is building your meals around affordable ingredients like canned tomatoes, eggs, butter, garlic, and seasonal vegetables. For more pantry ideas, see our pantry staple meals guide.

25 Budget Pasta Recipes Under $1 Per Serving

Classic Italian Favorites

1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio ($0.45 per serving) Garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and pasta. That's it. This five-ingredient wonder tastes like you ordered it from a fancy Italian restaurant.

2. Cacio e Pepe ($0.75 per serving) Pasta, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese create this creamy Roman classic. The starchy pasta water does all the work.

3. Marinara Pasta ($0.60 per serving) A can of crushed tomatoes, garlic, and dried herbs make a sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours.

4. Pasta e Fagioli ($0.85 per serving) This Italian pasta and bean soup stretches your dollar with canned white beans and whatever pasta shapes you have.

5. Pasta Puttanesca ($0.90 per serving) Canned tomatoes, olives, capers, and garlic create bold flavors for pennies.

Creamy & Comforting

6. Budget Carbonara ($0.95 per serving) Use bacon instead of guanciale, add eggs and Parmesan, and you've got creamy perfection.

7. Butter Noodles with Parmesan ($0.40 per serving) Sometimes simple is best. Buttered noodles with a shower of Parmesan never disappoints.

8. Tuna Pasta Bake ($0.80 per serving) Canned tuna, pasta, frozen peas, and a simple cream sauce make this family favorite.

9. Mac and Cheese from Scratch ($0.70 per serving) Homemade beats boxed every time, and it's cheaper too when you buy cheese on sale.

10. Creamy Tomato Pasta ($0.65 per serving) Add a splash of milk or cream to your marinara sauce for a restaurant-style pink sauce.

Veggie-Packed Options

11. Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach ($0.75 per serving) Frozen spinach costs less than fresh and works perfectly in this garlicky pasta.

12. Pasta Primavera ($0.85 per serving) Use whatever vegetables are on sale or in season. Zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers are great choices.

13. Roasted Vegetable Pasta ($0.90 per serving) Toss chopped vegetables with oil and roast them while your pasta cooks. Mix together and you're done.

14. Broccoli Pasta ($0.70 per serving) Steam broccoli florets, toss with pasta, garlic, and olive oil. Add red pepper flakes for kick.

15. Mushroom Pasta ($0.95 per serving) Button mushrooms are affordable and create a meaty, satisfying sauce with garlic and butter.

Protein-Packed Meals

16. Sausage Pasta ($0.95 per serving) One link of Italian sausage flavors a whole pot of pasta. Remove the casings and crumble it into your sauce.

17. Egg Noodles with Peas ($0.50 per serving) Scramble eggs into hot buttered noodles with frozen peas for a quick, protein-rich dinner.

18. Chicken and Pasta Skillet ($0.90 per serving) Use affordable chicken thighs and whatever pasta sauce you prefer for this one-pan meal.

19. Ground Beef Pasta ($0.85 per serving) A little ground beef goes a long way when mixed with pasta and tomato sauce.

20. White Bean Pasta ($0.65 per serving) Canned white beans add protein and creaminess to garlic and olive oil pasta.

One-Pot Wonders

21. One-Pot Spaghetti ($0.70 per serving) Cook everything together in one pot. Less cleanup, same great taste.

22. Skillet Lasagna ($0.90 per serving) All the layers of lasagna without the baking dish. Use broken lasagna noodles or any pasta shape.

23. Pasta Soup ($0.60 per serving) Turn any pasta into soup by adding broth and vegetables. Perfect for stretching leftovers.

24. Baked Ziti ($0.85 per serving) Mix cooked pasta with sauce and a little ricotta or cottage cheese, then bake until bubbly.

25. Pasta Frittata ($0.75 per serving) Transform leftover pasta into breakfast or dinner by baking it with beaten eggs and cheese.

Tips for Keeping Pasta Dinners Cheap

Buy pasta in bulk. Stock up when it's on sale or buy larger packages at warehouse stores.

Make your own sauce. Canned tomatoes are cheaper than jarred sauce and taste fresher.

Use less meat. Treat meat as a flavoring agent rather than the main ingredient. A little goes a long way.

Shop seasonally. Vegetables are cheapest when they're in season. Frozen vegetables work great too and never go bad.

Save your pasta water. That starchy liquid is gold for creating creamy sauces without cream.

Grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese costs more and doesn't melt as smoothly. A block of Parmesan lasts forever in the fridge.

Using a platform like myrecipe helps you organize your favorite budget pasta recipes and calculate exact costs per serving. You can adjust ingredient quantities, swap items based on what's on sale, and build your weekly meal plan around the most affordable options.

Common Mistakes When Making Budget Pasta

Not salting your pasta water enough. Your pasta water should taste like the sea. This is your only chance to season the pasta itself.

Rinsing cooked pasta. Don't do it! You'll wash away the starch that helps sauce cling to your noodles.

Using too small a pot. Pasta needs room to move around. Cramming it into a small pot leads to sticky, gummy noodles.

Adding oil to the cooking water. This doesn't prevent sticking and actually makes it harder for sauce to stick to your pasta.

Overcooking your pasta. Al dente isn't just fancy talk. Pasta should have a slight bite to it. It'll continue cooking slightly after you drain it.

Draining all the pasta water. Always save at least a cup before draining. You'll need it to adjust sauce consistency.

Not heating your sauce. Cold sauce poured over hot pasta? Not ideal. Have your sauce hot and ready when the pasta finishes cooking.

Using the wrong pasta shape. Thick sauces need pasta with ridges or tubes to grab onto. Light, oily sauces work better with long, smooth noodles.

How to Meal Prep Budget Pasta

Pasta is perfect for meal prep because it reheats well and actually tastes better the next day after the flavors marry.

Cook pasta slightly under al dente if you're meal prepping. It'll finish cooking when you reheat it.

Toss with a little olive oil after draining to prevent sticking in storage containers.

Store sauce separately when possible. This keeps pasta from getting soggy.

Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for grab-and-go meals.

Reheat with a splash of water or broth to revive the sauce and prevent dryness.

Make a double batch of your favorite pasta sauce and freeze half. When you need a quick dinner, just cook fresh pasta and heat your frozen sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cheapest type of pasta to buy?

Store-brand spaghetti or penne typically offers the best value. You can often find it for $1 per pound or less on sale. There's no significant quality difference between expensive and cheap dried pasta - they're both just wheat and water.

How can I make pasta more filling without spending more?

Add beans or lentils to your pasta dishes. They're incredibly cheap, packed with protein and fiber, and make your meal more satisfying. Frozen vegetables also add bulk and nutrition without breaking the bank.

Can I freeze cooked pasta?

Yes! Cooked pasta freezes well for up to 2 months. Slightly undercook it, toss with a little oil, and freeze in portion-sized containers. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.

What's the best way to save money on pasta ingredients?

Build a well-stocked pantry with basics bought on sale: canned tomatoes, olive oil, dried herbs, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. These ingredients make dozens of different pasta dishes. Buy produce that's in season or on sale, and don't be afraid to use frozen vegetables.

How long does dried pasta last?

Dried pasta lasts 1-2 years when stored in a cool, dry place. Even after the "best by" date, it's usually fine to eat as long as it doesn't smell off or show signs of pests. This makes it perfect for stocking up during sales.

Your Turn to Start Cooking

You don't need a huge grocery budget to eat well. These 25 budget pasta recipes prove that delicious, satisfying dinners can cost less than a cup of coffee.

Start with the simplest recipes like aglio e olio or butter noodles to build your confidence. Then branch out to the heartier options with vegetables and proteins. Save your favorites to myrecipe so you can meal plan around the ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Which budget pasta recipe will you try first? The one that costs $0.40 per serving or the one that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant? With pasta, you can have both.