• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Weeknight Pasta Made Easy: 24 Dump-and-Go Recipes You Need to Try

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 7, 2025, updated September 2, 2025 - 1 Comment

    Weeknight dinners can be a challenge, but pasta is a quick and satisfying option that everyone loves. With these 24 easy dump-and-go recipes, you can whip up delicious pasta dishes in no time, using simple ingredients and minimal effort. Whether you're in the mood for something creamy, spicy, or loaded with veggies, there's a recipe here to fit your evening plans.

    Meatball Pasta Bake

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

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple and satisfying dish that you can whip up in the oven with just a handful of ingredients. With frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and marinara sauce, it comes together in no time and doesn’t require much work. This is a great choice for a comforting dinner that everyone in the family will love.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Meatball Casserole

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

    Meatball Casserole is a filling one-pan dish that brings together tender meatballs and pasta, all baked in a creamy blend of marinara sauce, cream, broth, and cheese. This is a good dinner choice for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours cooking. It's simple to prepare and perfect for the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This dish combines traditional Italian flavors into a hearty meal with chicken, marinara sauce, pasta, and melted mozzarella cheese. It's a simple and delicious option for dinner any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun pasta casserole is an easy dish to whip up. You don’t have to boil the pasta first; just mix everything together and pop it in the oven. As it bakes, the creamy sauce blends perfectly, creating a cozy meal that’s great for any weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    This lasagna is super simple to make. It has layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two kinds of cheese, all coming together in one pot. It's a quick meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    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. It's an easy and filling meal that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Plus, since everything is cooked in one dish, cleaning up afterward is simple.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is a simple and delicious meal that requires very little effort. You can skip the steps of cooking the noodles or browning the meat; just layer everything together and put it in the oven. This dish is ideal for a quick and filling dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that you can enjoy later. It's easy to put together and has a nice mix of flavors. Ideal for a busy weeknight, this meal will keep you satisfied.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This chicken pasta bake is great for busy weeknights when you need something simple and delicious. With only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up a filling meal quickly. It's a comforting dish that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

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

    This pesto pasta bake is rich and cheesy, and everything cooks in just one pan. It’s a tasty meal that you can put together in less than an hour, giving you that nice pasta experience at home. Great for a weeknight dinner, this dish is easy to make and really filling.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    Spinach chicken artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    Spinach artichoke chicken casserole is a quick and easy meal that's great for busy weeknights. Using rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, it comes together in no time. The creamy texture and tasty ingredients make it a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Buffalo chicken flavors come together in this simple pasta dish. With just a handful of ingredients mixed together, you can whip up a satisfying dinner quickly. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    Rigatoni al forno is a hearty and delicious meal that's easy to whip up. With plenty of veggies mixed in, it offers a nice variety of textures and flavors that the whole family will enjoy. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights, as it requires very little work to prepare, making it a great option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

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

    Tuna pasta bake is a perfect choice for busy weeknights. Using canned tuna, mozzarella cheese, and some simple ingredients, it comes together quickly and is really satisfying. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Kimchi Mac and Cheese

    Kimchi Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: Mikha Eats.

    Kimchi Mac and Cheese is a tasty twist on the traditional favorite, blending creamy cheese with a crunchy topping and spicy kimchi. This simple dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours cooking. It offers a familiar comfort with a bit of a spicy twist, making it a fun option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Savory with Soul.

    Philly Cheesesteak Casserole brings the delicious taste of a classic cheesesteak sandwich into a warm and filling dish. With ground beef, gooey cheese, bell peppers, and onions all baked together in a creamy mix, this meal is great for a cozy dinner. It's a satisfying option that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy evenings. You can throw everything together in one pan without having to cook the pasta first, making it super simple. With plenty of cheese and that familiar pizza taste, it’s a dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    Cheesy chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach come together in this simple meal. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner when you're short on time.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This vegan pasta bake is creamy and gluten-free, loaded with a variety of vegetables. It's a great option for a quick weeknight dinner and can be served warm or chilled.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is a great choice for cheese and pasta lovers. It features a blend of two tasty cheeses, with a bit of a zing from Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. In just under 40 minutes, you can have a simple and quick meal on the table.

    Get the recipe

    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This pasta bake is packed with white beans, pasta, and cherry tomatoes, offering a simple and delicious choice for dinner during the week. It's easy to put together and doesn't take much time, making it ideal for busy evenings. You can enjoy a filling meal that the whole family will appreciate without needing to spend hours cooking.

    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 super simple to make. With just four main ingredients and some store-bought options, you can whip it up in about 5 minutes and have it served in under 40. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick and filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    A spoonful of cheesy tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    A simple and tasty meal that everyone will love is just what you need for busy weeknights. These pasta dishes come together with very little effort and only a handful of ingredients, making them perfect for a quick dinner. You can enjoy a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Gruyere Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Mac and Cheese is a simple and fast dish that comes together quickly. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you’ll enjoy a cheesy meal made with Cheddar and Gruyere. Everything cooks in one pan, so you skip the hassle of boiling pasta or dealing with flour.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Orzo pesto salad.
      16 Flavor-Packed Veggie Dishes That Were Made for Potlucks
    • Taco pasta.
      21 Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes That Will Make Your Fall So Much Easier
    • Making kitchen sink cookies.
      24 Easy Sweets to Bake This Fall
    • Hobo casserole.
      22 Delicious Casseroles You Can Just Dump and Forget About

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carlee

      August 27, 2024 at 7:47 am

      We love a good easy pasta dinner. I can't wait to try a few of these!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Lazy lasagna.
      Weeknight Pasta Made Easy: 24 Dump-and-Go Recipes You Need to Try
    • A cheesy pizza pasta bake.
      22 Perfect Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump and Cook
    • BBQ chicken.
      22 Easy Southern Dinners for Super Busy Nights
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      21 Crockpot Fall Favorites That Will Make You Feel Right at Home

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB