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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Dump-And-Go Pasta Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 14, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These 21 easy pasta dinners are perfect for those nights when you just want to throw everything together and enjoy a satisfying meal without the fuss. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a delicious dinner on the table in no time.

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Dinner can be a breeze with this simple chicken pasta bake that doesn't require boiling. With minimal prep, you can whip up a satisfying and hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

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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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    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan chicken bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish that's full of flavor. It combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach with pasta in a rich sauce made from coconut milk and cheese. This is a good dinner option for busy nights or a relaxing weekend meal.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

    Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
    Photo Credit: Eating In An Instant.

    Chicken parmesan pasta in the Instant Pot is a simple dinner option that combines pasta and chicken breast into a quick, one-pot meal. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can have a hearty meal ready in no time.

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    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    This pasta dish is simple and comforting, needing just 10 minutes of prep time while the slow cooker takes care of everything else. It’s full of rich flavors and features tender penne pasta, making it a great choice for a filling family dinner during the week.

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    Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese

    A bowl of Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Eat Your Beets.

    This dish combines chili and macaroni for a comforting meal that cooks slowly and evenly. It's perfect for when you're feeling too tired to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together and let it simmer, resulting in a hearty dinner that everyone will love.

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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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    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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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This dinner is super simple and full of great flavor. You’ll have pasta and Italian sausage mixed in a creamy tomato sauce, all cooked in one pot. It’s a filling meal that everyone in the family will enjoy, even the picky eaters.

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    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple dish that cooks entirely in the oven, so you don’t have to worry about a lot of prep work. Using frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your go-to marinara sauce, this meal comes together quickly and easily. It's perfect for those nights when you just want a comforting dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta

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

    Chicken enchilada pasta offers a tasty spin on a beloved classic. This dish features juicy chicken, spicy green chiles, and pasta, all covered in a rich, cheesy sauce. It’s a cozy meal that combines the wonderful flavors of chicken enchiladas into one satisfying dish.

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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 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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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip the step of boiling the pasta, which saves time and effort. As it bakes, a creamy sauce develops that brings everything together beautifully.

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    Baked Tortellini

    20 Minute Baked Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    The Cheesy Tortellini Bake is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With fewer than 10 ingredients and everything cooked in one pan, it’s perfect for busy evenings when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This dish is comforting and satisfying, making it a great choice for a simple dinner.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for those evenings when you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This easy casserole combines the flavors of a classic Italian dinner into a hearty meal. It features tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, pasta, and gooey mozzarella cheese. It's a satisfying option for any night of the week.

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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 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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    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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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

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

    A creamy and tasty tuna pasta bake comes together easily with canned tuna, mozzarella cheese, and a few other simple ingredients. It's a comforting dish that doesn't require much effort, making it perfect for those evenings when you just want something quick and satisfying. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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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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