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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Dump-and-Cook Pasta Recipes for Stress-Free Dinners

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 12, 2025, updated September 17, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 21 easy dump-and-cook pasta recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a delicious dinner with minimal effort. From creamy sauces to hearty veggie mixes, these recipes will make your evenings stress-free and enjoyable.

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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

    This dish is all about creamy sauce, tender chicken, and long pasta, creating a cozy meal that's perfect for chilly evenings. It's simple to prepare and requires minimal effort, making it a great choice for busy nights. Just throw everything together and let it cook, and you'll have a delicious dinner ready to enjoy.

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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 the delicious flavors of pizza combined with bow-tie pasta, it's a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it's easy to prepare and can be stored in the freezer for later.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

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

    This cozy pasta dish is all about simplicity and comfort. With just a quick five minutes of prep, it's an easy meal that warms you up and satisfies. Perfect for busy nights, this dish brings together rich flavors without requiring a lot of work.

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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 incredibly simple to prepare. You can skip the step of boiling the pasta, which makes it even easier. As it bakes, a creamy sauce develops that adds a delicious touch to the dish.

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    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan chicken bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish packed with 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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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This dinner is super simple and full of great flavor. You'll find tender pasta and Italian sausage mixed in a creamy tomato sauce, creating a satisfying one-pot meal. It's perfect for busy nights and sure to please everyone at the table, even the picky eaters.

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    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

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

    This pasta dish is creamy, rich, and incredibly tasty. It's a simple one-pot meal that practically cooks itself, making it perfect for busy evenings. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that everyone will love.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

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

    This dish 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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    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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    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. It requires very little prep and comes together quickly, giving you a satisfying meal without much effort. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish is both hearty and delicious.

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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 busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Crockpot Taco Pasta

    Taco pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Salty Pot.

    This pasta dish is everything you want in a comforting meal. It features hearty beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and pasta that feels like a warm hug. Best of all, you can throw it together in under 15 minutes.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is all about simplicity and flavor. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    One Pot Carbonara

    Carbonara.
    Photo credit: Num's the Word.

    This is a dream come true for pasta lovers, offering a simple way to enjoy a delicious meal. With minimal effort involved, you can whip up a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy. Plus, cleanup is a breeze, making it perfect for busy evenings.

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    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and completely plant-based. It's perfect for a quick and easy meal that doesn't require much effort. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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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 convenient store-bought items, you can have it ready in just 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Ravioli is a great shortcut for making lasagna, turning a classic dish into something super simple. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is a hit with my family and is perfect for busy nights. With the ravioli serving as both the noodles and the cheese layers, it 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 combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, mushrooms, and spinach with pasta in a rich tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for family dinners or when you have friends over.

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    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. You can throw everything together right in the pan, and there's no need to cook the pasta beforehand. It's loaded with cheesy goodness and all the flavors of pizza, making it a hit with the whole family.

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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.

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    Creamy Crockpot Tortellini

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

    This creamy pasta dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. Using frozen tortellini, it cooks quickly in a smooth sauce that everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

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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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