15 Quick and Easy No-Boil Pasta Dinners For Busy Weeknights

When weeknights feel chaotic, dinner should still taste like a win. These clever no-boil pasta dishes go straight from pantry to pan to plate, saving you time without sacrificing comfort.

Every recipe leans on smart shortcuts and reliable flavors that cook the pasta right in the sauce. You will have fewer dishes, faster cleanup, and cozy bowls that make busy nights feel easy.

1. No-Boil Baked Ziti

Layer dry ziti with marinara, a splash of water or broth, and generous dollops of ricotta in a deep baking dish. Tuck in shredded mozzarella between layers so it melts into gooey pockets.

Cover tightly with foil to trap steam, letting the sauce hydrate and cook the pasta perfectly.

Uncover near the end to brown the cheese until it turns bubbly and golden. Rest a few minutes so slices hold together.

You will love the tender noodles, creamy ricotta, and bright tomato sauce that tastes slow-simmered, even though you barely lifted a finger.

2. One-Dish No-Boil Lasagna

Use regular lasagna noodles, not the no-boil specialty kind, and let a saucy mixture do the heavy lifting. Spread plenty of marinara on the bottom, then alternate noodles, ricotta, and more sauce so every sheet is well coated.

Cover snugly to steam while it bakes.

Finish uncovered for a bronzed, bubbly crown of cheese. After baking, let it stand to set for easy, sliceable squares.

You will get all the lasagna satisfaction with none of the boiling pot chaos, just tidy layers and rich, weeknight-friendly comfort.

3. No-Boil Ravioli Bake

Grab a bag of frozen cheese ravioli and call it your shortcut hero. Layer the ravioli with marinara, a little water, and shredded mozzarella in a casserole dish.

Dot ricotta on top like tiny clouds. Cover to let steam penetrate the pasta pockets, then uncover to brown.

The edges turn crisp-cheesy while the centers stay tender and saucy. Add a shower of Parmesan and basil to finish.

It feels like a lasagna riff with half the fuss, perfect when you want melty comfort fast and the sink mercifully stays almost empty.

4. No-Boil Tortellini Skillet

Drop refrigerated tortellini straight into a skillet with your favorite sauce and a splash of water or broth. Cover so the tortellini steam and the sauce thickens into a glossy coat.

Stir once or twice to keep anything from sticking, then finish with Parmesan for salty richness.

The result is ultra tender pasta pillows in a silky, comforting sauce that tastes like you stood babysitting a pot. Serve right from the skillet with a green salad.

You will love that dinner basically cooks itself while you set the table.

5. No-Boil Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

Combine dry short pasta with jarred Alfredo, cooked shredded chicken, and a little milk or broth in a baking dish. Season with garlic powder and pepper.

Stir to coat every piece, then sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Cover to trap steam and bake until the pasta softens.

Uncover for a few minutes to brown and tighten the sauce. The creamy texture and savory chicken make this irresistibly cozy.

You will get restaurant Alfredo vibes with almost no effort, plus just one dish to clean when plates are scraped spotless.

6. No-Boil Sausage Marinara Penne Bake

Brown sliced Italian sausage in a skillet for deep flavor, then tip it into a casserole with dry penne and marinara. Add water to help hydrate the pasta.

Cover tightly so steam works its magic. Halfway through, stir to redistribute sauce, then finish with mozzarella across the top.

Uncover to melt and lightly brown. The penne turns tender, the sausage savory, and every bite tastes like Sunday simmer, only easier.

You will appreciate how hands-off it feels while delivering big, classic flavor your whole table will cheer.

7. No-Boil Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake

Stir marinara with ricotta, a pinch of nutmeg, and a big handful of chopped spinach. Fold in dry pasta until everything is thickly coated, then add a splash of water or broth for insurance.

Cover and bake so the pasta drinks up the sauce and spinach melts into everything.

Finish uncovered for browned, bubbly edges. The result is creamy, bright, and surprisingly wholesome, with greens tucked into every scoop.

You will love the minimal prep and maximum payoff, especially on nights when vegetables need a friendly, cheesy invitation.

8. No-Boil Pesto Tomato Tortellini Bake

Toss store-bought tortellini with pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, and a splash of cream or broth in a baking dish. The pesto loosens as it heats, coating every fold.

Cover to steam the pasta, then uncover to let tomatoes burst and the top get lightly toasty.

Finish with Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon to wake up the flavors. It is fragrant, colorful, and lightning-fast.

You will get that garden-fresh pesto payoff even on a Wednesday, with just one pan and five minutes of prep before the oven does the rest.

9. No-Boil Taco Pasta Bake

Brown taco-seasoned ground beef or turkey, then mix with dry short pasta, salsa, and a little broth in a casserole. Cover so the pasta softens in the saucy mixture.

Near the end, stir in corn or black beans if you like. Blanket with cheddar and bake uncovered until melty.

Top like nachos with crushed chips, sour cream, and scallions. Every bite is zesty, cheesy, and weeknight-friendly.

You will love how the salsa becomes the cooking liquid and the flavor base, cutting down ingredients while turning dinner into a fiesta.

10. No-Boil BBQ Chicken Pasta Bake

Combine shredded cooked chicken with BBQ sauce, dry pasta, and chicken broth in a baking dish. Stir well to coat.

Cover so the pasta hydrates while the sauce thins, then thickens again as it bakes. Uncover, add sharp cheddar, and return to brown the edges lightly.

The result is smoky, tangy, and comforting, with tender noodles and juicy chicken. A sprinkle of scallions or pickled jalapenos adds brightness.

You will appreciate how pantry bottles and leftovers transform into a crowd-pleasing, hands-off dinner that tastes like a cookout in a pan.

11. No-Boil Creamy Tomato Basil Orzo

Orzo behaves like rice, so it cooks perfectly without boiling. Toast it briefly in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes, broth, garlic, and basil.

Simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until the orzo swells and turns silky. Add a splash more liquid if needed for creaminess.

Finish with Parmesan and a knob of butter for body. The result is spoonable, cozy, and vibrant with tomato sweetness and fresh herbs.

You will love how quickly it comes together, no pot of water required, just a single skillet delivering big comfort.

12. No-Boil Lemon Garlic Parmesan Orzo

Warm olive oil with minced garlic and lemon zest in a skillet until fragrant. Stir in dry orzo to coat, then add broth and a pinch of salt.

Cover and simmer gently, stirring once or twice until tender. Fold in Parmesan and a little butter for a glossy finish.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice to brighten. The texture is creamy but not heavy, perfect with shrimp or roasted vegetables on top.

You will appreciate the minimal prep and sunny flavor that tastes restaurant-level with barely any effort or dishes.

13. No-Boil Broccoli Cheddar Mac Bake

Stir dry elbow macaroni with a quick cheese sauce, broccoli florets, and enough milk or broth to hydrate while baking. Season with mustard powder and paprika for depth.

Cover to steam the pasta and broccoli until tender, then uncover to brown the top into that classic crust.

The result is nostalgic and veggie-forward, with pockets of melted cheddar stretching in every scoop. Add breadcrumbs if you crave crunch.

You will love how the oven does both the cooking and the thickening, delivering mac comfort with almost no stovetop time.

14. No-Boil One-Pan Pasta With Mushrooms

Add dry pasta, sliced mushrooms, garlic, thyme, and vegetable or chicken broth to a deep skillet. Bring to a lively simmer, then cover so steam hydrates the noodles.

Stir once or twice to keep things even. As liquid reduces, starches create a glossy, savory sauce.

Finish with Parmesan and black pepper. The mushrooms deliver big umami, so it tastes slow-cooked without the wait.

You will love the simplicity and warmth, especially when you want dinner that feels earthy and satisfying with hardly any cleanup required.