Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? With prices on the rise in 2026, finding meals that are both satisfying and budget-friendly can feel like a challenge. Pasta comes to the rescue. It’s versatile, filling, and pairs beautifully with simple, affordable ingredients. Not to mention, it’s one of the ingredients that is unlikely to face price inflation in 2026. Instead, it’s easy to make in bulk, simple to store, and has a long shelf life. We’re recommending eight delicious pasta recipes that allow you to still enjoy comforting and flavorful dinners without breaking the bank.
Pasta Recipes to Save Yourself from Grocery Inflation in 2026
Martha Stewart-Inspired One Pan Pasta
A simple, flavorful pasta made entirely in one pan. Inspired by Martha Stewart, this dish simmers pasta with tomatoes, garlic, onion, and basil to create a light, silky sauce with minimal effort and cleanup. Perfect for weeknights.
Bigoli in Salsa
This classic Venetian pasta that pairs whole-wheat bigoli with a savory sauce of slow cooked onions and rich sardines or anchovies. You can even use canned fish in this recipe which adds another layer for money-saving deliciousness.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Everyone needs to have a Fettuccine Alfredo recipe on hand. This particular recipe adds aromatic green onion and a hint of peperoncino for deeper flavor. It’s smooth, comforting, and far from ordinary.
BLT Pasta
What if you could make your favorite sandwich into a pasta dish? This pasta captures all the best parts of a BLT like the crunch of bacon, juicy grape tomatoes, and fresh greens. We also toss it with cream and olive oil, turning everyday ingredients into a hearty meal.
Easy Pesto Pasta
Make the most of herbaceous pesto by adding in savory Italian sausage, farm-fresh asparagus, and toasted pine nuts. A squeeze of lemon and a touch of cheese elevate these ingredients to luxury.
Bolognese Sauce (Ragù)
Rather than buying sauce at the store, making your own is rewarding and endows you with plenty of leftovers for other days. All this sauce takes is ground beef, vegetables, wine, milk, and tomatoes to build layers of big flavor that put modest amounts of ground beef to great use.
Heirloom Tomato Tripoline
An impressive pasta relies on simplicity rather than splurging. Heirloom tomatoes in butter and basil coat tender tripoline. This recipe is perfect for delivering deep flavor from just a few inexpensive ingredients.
Stanley Tucci Inspired Rigatoni with Salsiccia alla Maria Rosa
A rigatoni dish inspired by Stanley Tucci’s passion for Italian cuisine features spicy Italian sausage and a rich Maria Rosa tomato sauce. Every bite interacts with elements of freshness, making it a comforting yet sophisticated at the same time.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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