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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Dump-and-Go Pasta Dinners That Will Save Your Evenings

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 5, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy evenings can make it tough to whip up a homemade meal, but pasta is here to save the day. With these 20 easy dump-and-go pasta dinners, you can have a satisfying meal on the table in no time. Just toss in your ingredients, let them cook, and enjoy a delicious dinner without the hassle.

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup is packed with fresh veggies, ground beef, and pasta. It's a filling and cozy meal that has everything you need in one bowl.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a quick and satisfying dish that comes together in no time. With just 10 minutes of prep and ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, this meal is both comforting and flavorful.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for when you're feeling too tired to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It combines two delicious cheeses, including a zesty Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a simple and satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodles Soup.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This dish is warm and comforting, perfect for those evenings when you just want something easy. It combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth. You can get everything ready in about 10 minutes, and then let the slow cooker handle the rest.

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    Garlic Lemon Gemelli

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

    This dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is packed with flavor. With garlic and lemon, the pasta is sure to have everyone coming back for more. It's a simple and satisfying meal that works perfectly for busy evenings.

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    Creamy Crockpot Tortellini

    A bowl filled with Creamy Crockpot Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    This creamy pasta dish is perfect for those nights when you just want something simple and delicious. Using frozen tortellini, it comes together quickly in a smooth sauce that everyone will enjoy. It's a satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for more.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and really satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot when you just want something warm and filling. Perfect for busy nights when you don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen, this meal comes together quickly and easily.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy a satisfying dinner that comes together quickly and easily.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta features juicy chicken, crispy bacon, mushrooms, and spinach mixed with pasta in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's a great option for family dinners or when you want to impress friends without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish is simple to prepare and delivers a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This cozy pasta dish comes together in just 5 minutes of prep, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing evening. It's a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Simple and satisfying, this is a great option for when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is sure to please everyone at the table. With its delicious pizza flavors combined with bow-tie pasta, it’s a comforting meal that feels like a treat. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be stored in the freezer for later, making it a great option for busy nights.

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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This simple meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce into a tasty one-pan meal. There's no need to boil the pasta or brown the meatballs beforehand; just layer everything in a casserole dish and let the oven handle the cooking. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying dinner without much effort.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to whip up. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan meal without the need to boil pasta or make a sauce. With a mix of Cheddar and Gruyere cheese, this dish is rich and full of flavor.

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    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This dish is all about comfort, featuring a creamy sauce, tender chicken, and long pasta. It's a great option for chilly evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together and let it cook, making it an easy choice for busy nights.

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    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This easy baked ravioli casserole takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and requires just 5 minutes of prep time because you don’t need to boil the ravioli first! Store-bought refrigerated cheese ravioli makes this simple weeknight dinner a reality even on the busiest of nights! It can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen.

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    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

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

    This dish is warm and satisfying, featuring Italian turkey sausage for a hearty touch and fresh kale or baby spinach for some greens. It's a simple meal that you can prepare on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or in a slow cooker. Perfect for when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is an easy meal that comes together in one pot, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a filling dinner option when you don’t have the energy to cook on the stove. With just a handful of ingredients and your slow cooker, you can put this together quickly. Everyone at the table will enjoy this hearty dish. It’s a great way to have a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to whip up a satisfying pasta sauce without spending hours in the kitchen. It combines all the classic flavors of a traditional bolognese, but you can make it quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for those nights when you just want a hearty meal with minimal effort.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly easy to make, requiring just one dish and no pre-cooking. Simply combine everything, pop it in the oven, and you’ll have a warm, cheesy meal ready to enjoy. With a blend of mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s packed with flavor and comfort.

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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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