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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Quick and Easy Pasta Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 15, 2025, updated October 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Looking for quick and easy dinner ideas to make your weeknights a breeze? Check out these pasta dinners that will help you save time in the kitchen without sacrificing flavor. With simple ingredients and minimal prep work, these recipes are perfect for busy evenings when you need a delicious meal on the table fast.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    Cook up a simple and delicious dinner that's bursting with flavor! Perfectly cooked pasta and Italian sausage coated in a creamy tomato sauce make for a satisfying one-pot meal that everyone will enjoy, including those super picky eaters.

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    Instant Pot Cheese Tortellini

    Instant pot tortellini.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Whip up a quick and easy creamy, cheesy tortellini dish that's perfect for a cozy family dinner.

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Simplify your weeknights with effortless dump-and-cook pasta dinners like this no-boil chicken pasta bake. Minimal prep, maximum flavor for a satisfying meal.

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    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This easy pasta dish is a comforting blend of white beans, pasta, and cherry tomatoes, making it a great choice for a quick and nutritious weeknight meal.

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    Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

    CHEESY KIELBASA PASTA.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Make a simple and cheesy pasta dish using basic ingredients like pasta and kielbasa for a fast weeknight meal.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This recipe is packed with chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that basically guarantees leftovers.

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    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish is super easy to make in just one pot. It practically cooks itself and turns out creamy and rich.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    CHEESEBURGER MACARONI.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Make a quick and simple cheesy hamburger mac in just 30 minutes with this easy one-pot recipe.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Making a delicious Mac and Cheese has never been simpler! This baked dish combines Cheddar and Gruyere for a super cheesy flavor explosion, all made in one pan without the need for boiling or flour.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make a delicious and satisfying meal with cheesy chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach - all in one pot. It's a simple and convenient dinner option for busy weeknights.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken alfredo on a plate.
    Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

    Make a simple and tasty Alfredo pasta dish with tender chicken and perfectly cooked penne pasta in no time at all.

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    One Pan Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti.
    Photo credit: Raising Generation Nourished.

    This easy one-pan baked ziti is perfect for busy weeknights with quick prep and minimal cleanup.

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    One Pot Sausage Pasta

    ONE POT SAUSAGE PASTA.
    Photo credit: Neil's Healthy Meals.

    This easy sausage pasta dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It has a tasty combination of tomatoes and veggies that the whole family will love.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This simple slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a tasty and effortless dinner perfect for busy weeknights that everyone will enjoy!

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy, flavorful, and delicious tuna pasta bake is made with canned tuna, mozzarella cheese, and other simple ingredients.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare and ready in under an hour. Packed with buffalo sauce, spinach, and lots of cheese, it's a simple and tasty meal ideal for busy weeknights.

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    Garlic Lemon Gemelli

    Gemelli Garlic Lemon Pasta.
    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This quick and tasty garlic lemon pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights. It's ready in under 30 minutes and sure to please the whole family.

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    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is warm and satisfying, made with Italian turkey sausage for a hearty touch and fresh kale or baby spinach for some greens. It's a simple dish that you can cook on the stovetop, in your Instant Pot, or in your slow cooker.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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