19 weeknight pasta picks for the lazy chef in you

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This post is for the lazy chef, a celebration of weeknight meals that are as easy as boiling water, yet as satisfying as a restaurant dish. We’ve gathered 19 incredible pasta picks that require minimal effort on your end, but deliver maximum flavor on your plate.

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Cheese covered slow cooker chili mac in the crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a fuss-free meal with this slow cooker chili mac that practically makes itself. Just combine the ingredients and let the crockpot work its magic for a simple, hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with Sausage

A bowl of pasta and bread prepared with an instant pot.
Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with Sausage. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Whip up a creamy and satisfying fettuccine Alfredo with sausage in your Instant Pot for a no-stress pasta night. This one-pot wonder combines all your ingredients for a quick, flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with Sausage

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles.
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tender beef and noodles come together in the slow cooker for an easy meal that cooks itself. It’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dish for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Plate of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parmesan.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Create a complete spaghetti and meatballs dinner in your Instant Pot, a meal that’s both simple and quick to prepare. This one-pot recipe ensures a flavorful dinner is served in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

A bowl of pasta with meat and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Assemble your baked ziti in the morning, and let the slow cooker do the rest, melting everything into a cheesy, savory meal by dinnertime. This crockpot recipe is ideal for a hassle-free weeknight dish.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Capture the essence of Olive Garden’s chicken pasta with this easy slow cooker recipe. Just set it in the morning for a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that’s ready by dinner.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

An Instant Pot recipe for a bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables.
Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot gnocchi with meat sauce is a hearty dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s a convenient one-pot meal for a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Chicken and pasta in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let the slow cooker transport your taste buds to Louisiana with this Cajun chicken pasta that’s effortlessly creamy and spicy. It’s a simple way to enjoy a bold, flavorful meal after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

Chicken Parm Casserole

Baked pasta dish topped with melted cheese in a glass dish.
Chicken Parm Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform the classic chicken parm into a casserole that’s easy to prepare and perfect for those hectic weeknights. This recipe is a quick path to a cheesy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Casserole

Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

A crock pot filled with spaghetti and chicken.
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Crock-Pot Chicken Spaghetti recipe is the ultimate comfort food that cooks while you go about your day. It’s a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that’s ready to serve when you walk in the door.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Spicy Chicken Riggies

Chicken riggies in a bowl topped with Parmesan and green onion.
Spicy Chicken Riggies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spicy Chicken Riggies offer a comforting weeknight meal with a kick, featuring chicken and hot peppers in a creamy tomato sauce over rigatoni for those evenings when you crave something with a little heat.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken Riggies

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Two bowls of instant pot macaroni and cheese on a red and white checkered tablecloth.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot mac and cheese is a quick and easy way to satisfy your cravings for a classic comfort food. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, dinner is served in a flash.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

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