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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-And-Cook Pasta Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Think

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 26, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When you're feeling worn out and just want a quick meal, dump-and-cook pasta dinners are the perfect solution. These simple recipes require minimal effort and time, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal without the hassle of complicated cooking. With just a few ingredients tossed together, you can create a variety of delicious pasta dishes that will fill you up and keep your evening stress-free.

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

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

    This dish is warm and filling, 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 your Instant Pot, or in your slow cooker.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and is ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, this dish is a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and really tasty, perfect for a cozy meal. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot when you just want something satisfying.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for when you're too tired to think and want something easy, plus you'll likely have leftovers.

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    Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

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

    Ravioli is a simple way to create lasagna, serving as both the noodles and the cheese layers. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is a favorite in my family.

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    One Pot Carbonara

    Carbonara.
    Photo credit: Num's the Word.

    This is a dream come true for pasta lovers and it's super easy to clean up afterward. It's perfect for when you're too tired to think about dinner.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is rich and cheesy, all made in one pan with minimal effort. It’s ready in under an hour and has the flavor of a dish from a nice restaurant.

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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 quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can whip up a rich and satisfying meal in no time.

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    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This No-Boil Lasagna is super easy to prepare in just 10 minutes, and you don’t even need to cook the noodles beforehand. It’s a simple dish that’s perfect for when you want a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This colorful alphabet soup is packed with veggies and is a healthy meal option. Everyone in the family will love this tasty vegetarian dish!

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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 prepare. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

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    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and easy meal. With smoked sausage, cajun spices, and a creamy cheese sauce, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner.

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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 that combines pasta and chicken breast into a quick, one-pot meal. It's perfect for when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

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

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for cheese and pasta fans. With a blend of two cheeses, a zesty kick from Gorgonzola, and a satisfying crunch from walnuts, it comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta packed 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 putting in much effort.

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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 when you're too tired to think and just want something comforting.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

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

    This dish features tender chicken paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta. It's a simple and quick way to enjoy a creamy Alfredo meal.

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    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
    Photo Credit: Mae's Menu.

    Creamy, savory, and ready in just a few simple steps, Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is comfort in a bowl. This family-friendly dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes and is made in just a few easy steps!

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This instant pot spaghetti is simple and only needs 9 ingredients, all cooked in one pot. In under 30 minutes, you can have this classic dish ready for dinner, perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    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. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s a cheesy and comforting meal that you can enjoy with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    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 ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken noodle soup.
      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
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      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
    • Coq au vin.
      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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