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    Home » Recipe Roundups

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

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

    When you're feeling worn out and just want a quick meal, dump-and-go pasta dinners are the perfect solution. These simple recipes require minimal effort and time, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying dinner without the hassle. With just a few ingredients and one pot, you can whip up a delicious pasta dish that will please everyone at the table.

    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 delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Tortellini

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    This creamy pasta dish is a simple weeknight dinner that your family will enjoy. It features tender chicken, cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, all infused with delicious Tuscan flavors. It's a comforting meal that comes together quickly and easily, 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 anyone can whip up. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a comforting dinner that satisfies without any fuss.

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

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

    This tuna pasta bake is creamy and packed with flavor, using canned tuna and mozzarella cheese along with a few other easy ingredients. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a comforting and satisfying dinner that everyone will love.

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    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This simple Mexican Lasagna uses ravioli to create tasty layers without any fuss. It's perfect for busy nights because you can just layer the ingredients without needing to thaw the ravioli first. This dish is quick to prepare and satisfying, making it a great option for dinner.

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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 definitely provide some leftovers. It's simple to prepare, so you can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy evenings, this pasta dinner is both filling and easy to whip up.

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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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    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 kinds of cheese, adds a nice tang from Gorgonzola, and includes a satisfying crunch from walnuts. You can whip this up in under 40 minutes, making it a simple and quick meal option.

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    Slow Cooker American Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Cincy Shopper.

    Slow Cooker American Goulash is a hearty dish packed with beef and vegetables. It's a simple meal that you can throw together in the slow cooker, making it perfect for dinner. This recipe is easy enough for anyone to prepare, and it's sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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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 boiling pasta separately. It combines frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your go-to marinara sauce for a hearty meal. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 whip up a lasagna, as it replaces the traditional noodles and layers of ricotta. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is a hit with families and is perfect for a cozy dinner. It's an easy meal that anyone can put together with minimal effort.

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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 fun take 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 blends the wonderful flavors of chicken enchiladas into a satisfying pasta dish.

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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 about 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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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

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

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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 it's ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and sneaky spinach, this dish is both cheesy and satisfying. It's a simple meal that's great for a weeknight dinner.

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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 a cozy dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a comforting plate that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a simple and filling dish that combines tender meatballs with pasta, all baked together in a creamy marinara sauce. This one-pan meal is topped with melted cheese, making it a comforting choice for dinner. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    One Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Dried spaghetti cooks right in a mix of ground beef, jarred sauce, and water, making dinner super simple with just one pot to clean up afterward. The starch from the pasta blends into the sauce, creating a rich and thick sauce that clings to every strand of spaghetti. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

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

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is extra creamy and cheesy, made in one baking pan, and doesn't require a lot of kitchen skills! It is done in under an hour and tastes like restaurant pasta.

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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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    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 that everyone will enjoy. With smoked sausage, cajun spices, and a rich cheesy sauce, this dish is sure to please. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This pasta dish is baked in the oven and features a tasty cashew "Parmesan" sauce on top. It's a simple meal that anyone can whip up with minimal effort. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe combines convenience with great flavor.

    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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