10+ Green Bean and Pasta Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Pasta dishes are a favorite for many, offering comfort and variety. When paired with green beans, you can create delicious meals that are not only filling but also packed with nutrients. These recipes provide a simple way to enjoy tasty and healthy options for you and your family.

Whether you prefer a light lemon garlic flavor or a hearty combination with bacon and tomatoes, green beans complement pasta beautifully. You can easily whip up these meals for any occasion, from a quick weeknight dinner to a special gathering. Incorporating green beans into your pasta recipes can elevate your dining experience with minimal effort.

Pesto Green Bean Pasta

Pesto green bean pasta is a delicious and easy dish you can make at home. It combines fresh green beans with pasta and a tasty pesto sauce. This meal offers a burst of flavors and can be ready in no time.

To start, cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. Add the green beans to the boiling water during the last few minutes of cooking. This ensures they remain crisp and vibrant.

Next, drain the pasta and beans, saving a little pasta water. Return everything to the pot and mix in your homemade or store-bought pesto. If needed, add some reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce thickness.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve it warm, and enjoy a colorful, nutritious dish that’s sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta
• 1 cup (150 g) green beans, trimmed
• 1 cup (240 ml) pesto
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Add green beans in the last 2 minutes.
3. Drain and save a little pasta water.
4. Return pasta and beans to pot.
5. Mix in pesto and add reserved water as needed.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

Lemon Garlic Green Bean Bowtie

This Lemon Garlic Green Bean Bowtie recipe is a delightful, fresh dish. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special gathering. You’ll love the bright flavors from the lemon and garlic, which pair perfectly with the green beans and pasta.

To start, cook your bowtie pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the green beans. You can blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until they are tender but still crisp.

In a large pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté it until fragrant, then toss in the cooked green beans. Finally, mix in the drained bowtie pasta and add fresh lemon juice for a burst of flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 oz bowtie pasta
• 6 oz green beans, trimmed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bowtie pasta according to the package directions.
2. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
4. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
5. Stir in the green beans.
6. Combine with the drained bowtie pasta and lemon juice.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3) Creamy Green Bean Linguine

Creamy Green Bean Linguine is a delightful dish that blends the freshness of green beans with the comfort of pasta. It’s simple yet flavorful, making it a great meal for any day of the week.

To start, you will need to cook linguine according to the package directions. As the pasta cooks, you can prepare your green beans. Remember to trim the ends before adding them to the pot.

For the sauce, mix yogurt, flour, and a hint of mustard. This gives a creamy texture without being too heavy. Add some nutmeg and pepper for flavor.

Once the pasta is ready, combine it with the green beans and pour the sauce over the top. Toss everything together gently. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 100g linguine
• 75g green beans, trimmed
• 100g plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Pinch of pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook linguine according to package instructions.
2. In the last 4-5 minutes, add the green beans.
3. In a bowl, mix yogurt, flour, mustard, nutmeg, and pepper.
4. Drain pasta and green beans, then combine with sauce.
5. Toss gently and serve warm.

4) Spicy Green Bean Penne

Spicy Green Bean Penne is a flavorful dish that’s both easy and quick to make. You’ll enjoy the combination of pasta, tender green beans, and a spicy kick.

Start by cooking your penne pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, prepare the green beans. You can toss them in with the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking.

For the sauce, mix olive oil with red pepper flakes and a splash of lemon vinaigrette to bring in freshness. Once the pasta and beans are ready, combine them with the sauce and any additional veggies you like.

This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons lemon vinaigrette
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions.
2. Add green beans to the pot during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
3. Drain pasta and beans in a colander.
4. In a bowl, mix olive oil, red pepper flakes, and lemon vinaigrette.
5. Combine pasta, green beans, and sauce. Add salt to taste.

5) Green Bean Alfredo Casserole

Green Bean Alfredo Casserole is a delightful dish that’s both creamy and comforting. It’s perfect for family meals or gatherings.

Start by combining frozen green beans with creamy Alfredo sauce. You can use store-bought sauce for ease. Mix in some crispy French fried onions for added flavor and crunch.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with more onion rings. Bake for about 25 minutes until it’s hot and bubbly.

This casserole pairs well with chicken or can be served as a main vegetarian dish. Enjoy the rich flavors and textures!

Ingredients:

• 2 bags (1 lb each) frozen cut green beans
• 1 container (10 oz) refrigerated Alfredo pasta sauce
• 1 can (2.8 oz) French-fried onions
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix green beans, Alfredo sauce, and half the onions.
3. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
4. Top with remaining onions.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Enjoy!

6) Sesame Green Bean Lo Mein

Sesame Green Bean Lo Mein is a delicious and quick dish you can make at home. The combination of fresh green beans and noodles adds great texture and flavor.

Start by blanching the green beans in boiling water for a few minutes until they are bright green. Drain them well before adding them to the noodles.

Next, cook the lo mein noodles according to the package directions. Typically, this takes about 3-5 minutes. Toss everything together with sesame oil and soy sauce for that lovely, nutty flavor.

Garnish your dish with sesame seeds for an added crunch. This makes for a perfect meal or side dish any night of the week.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces lo mein noodles
• ½ pound green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain.
2. Cook lo mein noodles according to package directions.
3. In a pan, heat sesame oil.
4. Add green beans and cooked noodles to the pan.
5. Stir in soy sauce and sesame seeds before serving.

7) Green Bean Pesto Spaghetti

This recipe combines fresh green beans with spaghetti and a tasty pesto sauce. It’s simple and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Start by cooking your spaghetti according to the package directions. Add the green beans to the boiling water during the last two minutes. When ready, drain the pasta and save some of the cooking water.

In the same pot, mix in your favorite pesto. Toss in cannellini beans for added protein. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved cooking water until you reach the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

This dish is bright, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. Enjoy it warm or at room temperature!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• 1 cup pesto
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
2. Add green beans in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
3. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
4. In the pot, mix spaghetti with pesto and beans.
5. Adjust consistency with reserved water.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

8) Garlic Butter Green Bean Rigatoni

Garlic Butter Green Bean Rigatoni is a simple and delicious dish that combines tender rigatoni pasta with fresh green beans. The rich garlic butter sauce really brings everything together.

To start, cook 8 ounces of rigatoni according to the package instructions. In the meantime, trim and blanch 1 pound of green beans in boiling water for a few minutes until they’re bright green. Drain them and set them aside.

Next, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about a minute.

Now, toss in the cooked rigatoni and green beans. Mix everything well, making sure the pasta is coated with the garlic butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve your Garlic Butter Green Bean Rigatoni warm, and enjoy a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rigatoni
• 1 lb fresh green beans
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook rigatoni as per package instructions.
2. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
3. Drain the beans and set aside.
4. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
5. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Mix in the cooked rigatoni and green beans.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

9) Tomato Basil Green Bean Rotini

Tomato Basil Green Bean Rotini is a fresh and tasty dish you can make easily. The combination of pasta, green beans, and tomatoes makes it colorful and full of flavor.

Start by cooking rotini pasta until al dente. While the pasta cooks, briefly steam some green beans. This keeps them crisp and bright.

Next, combine the cooked pasta and green beans in a large bowl. Then, add halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Toss everything together gently. For extra flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. Serve this dish warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1 pound rotini pasta
• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions.
2. Steam green beans for 3-4 minutes.
3. Drain pasta and combine with green beans in a bowl.
4. Add cherry tomatoes and basil leaves.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently.
6. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper on top.
7. Serve warm or at room temperature.

10) Chili Lemon Green Bean Orzo

Chili Lemon Green Bean Orzo is a delicious and vibrant dish. It combines the bright flavor of lemon with a spicy kick. The green beans add a nice crunch, making it a fantastic side or a light main meal.

Start with cooking orzo pasta until it’s tender. Meanwhile, blanch fresh green beans in boiling water for a few minutes. This keeps them bright and crisp.

In a large bowl, mix the cooked orzo and green beans. Then, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and add chili flakes for heat.

Toss gently to combine all the flavors. To finish, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor if you like. Serve this dish warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook orzo pasta according to package directions.

2. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes.

3. Drain green beans and rinse under cold water.

4. In a bowl, combine orzo and green beans.

5. Add lemon juice, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.

6. Mix well and serve, adding Parmesan cheese if desired.