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    Home » Pasta

    22 Easy Set-and-Forget Pasta Dinners for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated May 20, 2026 · Published June 1, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Pasta dinners are a go-to for many families, and these 22 recipes make it even easier to enjoy a hearty meal. With just a few ingredients that you can dump into a pot, you can create comforting dishes that are sure to please everyone at the table. From classic spaghetti to creamy casseroles, these simple meals are perfect for busy nights.

    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.

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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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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This is a simple meal that you can throw together on busy weeknights. With familiar flavors that everyone in the family enjoys, this easy dinner is bound to be a regular in your rotation.

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    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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    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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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Gluesticks.

    Creamy slow cooker chicken and noodles are a perfect choice for a cozy meal. It's simple to prepare with everyday ingredients you likely have on hand, and it's really tasty!

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    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This simple crock pot lasagna is a great meal you can prepare ahead of time. It only takes a few minutes to put together with easy ingredients, and then the crock pot handles the cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This creamy chicken dish is perfect for a quick family dinner. It's simple to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

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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.

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    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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

    This dish is cozy and satisfying, featuring creamy sauce, tender chicken, and long pasta. It's ideal for chilly evenings when you want something easy and delicious.

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    Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake

    Ricotta spinach casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Make this delicious tortellini bake in under 30 minutes, with a few simple steps. It's loaded with two types of cheese and lots of spinach for an indulgent dinner that's still full of nutrients. Perfect for weeknight dinners, or any time you need a quick meal!

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This chicken pasta bake is a simple way to get dinner ready without much effort. It requires very little prep and delivers a satisfying and hearty meal.

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

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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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    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Sausage

    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Sausage on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Copy Kat Recipes.

    This Instant Pot Spaghetti and Sausage recipe is packed with rich Italian flavors and is quick to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal 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 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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    Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

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

    Ravioli is a simple way to create a lasagna, as it replaces the traditional noodles and layers of ricotta. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is a hit with the whole family.

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    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This incredibly quick and easy pizza pasta bake is an absolute lifesaver on busy nights! It'll be in the oven in no time flat - you can even mix it all up right in the pan (and you don't even have to precook the pasta)! So cheesy and full of great pizza flavors - your whole family will love it.

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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 when you need something easy to prepare. It combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth, all ready with just a bit of prep time.

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    4-Ingredient Lazy Lasagna

    A spoonful of lazy lasagna being lifted out of a baking dish with an amazing cheese pull.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This Lazy Lasagna is ready in just 35 minutes with 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on work! No need to boil pasta, make a ricotta layer or brown meat... just layer ravioli with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, top with some parmesan cheese and bake!

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    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole

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

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is a creamy and savory dish that comes together quickly. This family-friendly meal is ready in under 30 minutes with just a few simple steps.

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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 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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    More Pasta Recipes

    • A spoonful of bacon mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan.
      Bacon Mac and Cheese
    • Coconut milk pasta.
      25 Easy Pasta Dishes With a Handful of Ingredients
    • A bowl with penne pomodoro (pasta with basil tomato sauce).
      Penne Pomodoro
    • Salmon asparagus pasta salad.
      19 Easy Pasta Salads You'll Make All Summer

    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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