I ran into a good friend last week and we started talking about what to make for dinner. She is a busy single parent of two who gets home from work around 7pm. She lamented that it is tough for her to find something quick to make that is healthy and full of flavor. She is someone who enjoys cooking, but just doesn’t have a lot of time for it.

I really wanted to help with ideas. My mind immediately went to a super easy and flavorful Asian noodle soup from my cookbook, and also to the chilaquiles from my online recipe box. But since I know her family enjoys pasta as much as the rest of us, our conversation inspired me to create 4 new simple pasta dishes for her and busy parents everywhere.

With the holiday season upon, everyone can use healthy, flavorful dinners that can be on the table in about 30 minutes, and that are a complete meal in one bowl.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Winter Squash

I’ve always loved making my own from-scratch potato gnocchi, but when I discovered Ali Slagle’s recipes that not only use store-bought gnocchi but also skip the boiling process, I was sold. Tossing the gnocchi in olive oil and roasting them in a hot oven results in pillowy, crisp on the outside and tender on the inside gnocchi, that can be adorned with whatever you feel like tossing on the sheet pan at the same time. Here, I’ve opted for cubed butternut squash (which you can buy pre-cut to save more time) with a simple garlic, walnut and sage seasoning. Because the ingredients are so simple, make sure to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

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Cheese Tortellini with Mushrooms in Broth

This quick pasta dinner can be done in one pot, and in about 20 minutes. If you don’t have, or don’t want to use the white wine, use all broth instead. The final result ends up being somewhere between a soup and a pasta. It is a simple, yet delicious bowl of comfort on a busy weeknight.

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White Bean & Baby Broccoli Cavatappi with Chicken Sausage

I love a pasta dish that covers all of the bases. This one is packed with creamy, healthful cannellini beans, lean chicken sausage for protein, baby broccoli for a vibrant vegetable, and lots of garlic and grated cheese. If you have any fresh herbs available, such as sage or rosemary, add them to the pan with the garlic to brighten up the dish.

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Pumpkin Ravioli with Sweet Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions typically take a long time to cook, but, in a pinch, there is a way to speed up the process and end up with something just as delicious in its own right. Tossed with pumpkin ravioli, this quick dinner can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Serve it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.

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