It's possible to whip up an easy, flavourful dinner with a few ingredients you might have in your kitchen already. Our filling pasta recipes make use of storecupboard essentials like tinned tuna, chopped tomatoes and jarred pesto.

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These simple recipes are sure to become family favourites for busy weeknights.

For the ultimate selection of recipes, see our 5-ingredient pasta collection.

Ravioli lasagne

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Transform a pack of shop-bought pasta with this hearty ravioli lasagne. Make a meat sauce with sausage meat and tinned tomatoes. Layer with wilted spinach and a pack of spinach & ricotta ravioli. Top with grated cheddar and bake for 35-40 minutes until bubbling and hot all the way through.

Cheesy tuna pesto pasta

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Make the most of storecupboard essentials with this cheesy tuna pesto pasta. Toss cooked penne with tinned tuna, jarred pesto and cherry tomatoes. Scatter with cheddar and grill until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve this simple bake with garlic bread and a leafy salad.

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Asparagus & meatball orzo

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This springtime asparagus & meatball orzo couldn't be easier. Bake pork meatballs and boil the asparagus and orzo, before mixing them together with crème fraîche. This fuss-free recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Discover our how to cook asparagus guide.

Gnocchi cacio e pepe

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Get dinner on the table in seven minutes with this comforting gnocchi cacio e pepe. Boil gnocchi and reserve some of the cooking water. Melt butter in a pan and vigorously stir in the gnocchi, parmesan, pasta water and pepper until silky and thick. So simple, so good.

Easy pesto pasta

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Fill up the whole family with this budget-friendly easy pesto pasta. Simply combine three ingredients – cooked spaghetti, jarred pesto and freshly grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative). It's perfect for large families or batch cooking as it makes six servings.

Creamy pasta with asparagus & peas

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Customise this creamy pasta with asparagus & peas using ingredients you've in the kitchen. Boil pasta (we recommend fusilli but use what you like), add asparagus and frozen peas for the final two minutes of cooking, then drain. Combine with lemon juice, soft cheese and chives.

Enjoyed these recipes? See more inspiration...

5-ingredient family meals
Storecupboard recipes
5-ingredient dinners
Five ingredients or less recipes

As many countries urge populations to stay at home, many of us are paying more attention to our diets and how the food we eat can support our health. To help sort out the fact from the fiction, BBC Future is updating some of their most popular nutrition stories from their archive.

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