Whether you need a tasty and nutritious meal in a hurry, or you just don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen, these healthy pasta recipes are a flash in the pan.

By Vicki Martinez

Pasta is one of the most versatile complex carbohydrates around. Not only can it be made in 1,001 ways (probably more), but the various shapes and sizes available allow you to get creative with your meals. But creativity does not mean “takes a long time.”

We've compiled this snapshot of delicious, flavorful and nutritious pasta dishes. Bonus: they can all be prepared in 20 minutes or less.

Date Night ... In

With restaurants, movie theatres, and dance clubs off the table, there's no better time to embrace your inner Bobby Flay (or Julia Child or Chef Lorenzo Boni). This date night delicacy is simple yet elegant. Your partner may never want to eat out again!

Rigatoni with Olives, Eggplant, Tomato and Basil

Balancing Act

Between video conferences, trouble-shooting remote learning glitches, and walking an elderly parent through the steps to attend a Zoom Happy Hour, sometimes the last thing on our minds is serving a healthy, well-balanced meal. Serve up everything a body needs (protein, complex carbs, and veggies) with this all-in-one dish—and you'll have it on the table in under 20 minutes..

Whole Grain Thin Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes & Fresh Sweet Peppers

Healthy, Happy and Home

It can be so tempting to run to the corner fast food restaurant down the road. But, in the time it takes to input orders into your smartphone notes (no pickles, extra mayo, do they have tacos?), wait in line at the drive-thru, then open each wrapper to make sure everyone gets the right order, you can prepare this simple, healthy meal. And enjoy a glass of wine while you're at it.

Crispy Prosciutto & Feta Penne

Just You and I

Sometimes cooking for two seems more difficult than feeding the entire extended family on Thanksgiving Day. Most recipes today serve four or six. Who wants all those leftovers?

With pasta, just because you open the package doesn’t mean you have to cook the entire box. And no matter how much you throw in the water, it still takes the same short amount of time to cook.

Angel Hair with Kale Walnut Pesto, Cannellini Beans and Cherry Tomatoes

ADD THESE 3 QUICK PASTA RECIPES TO YOUR REPERTOIRE