On chilly nights after long days when the whole family is hungry, you can always count on pasta to the rescue. For maximum comfort with minimum effort, we’ve rounded up a dozen of our coziest one-pot and baked recipes starring ziti, gnocchi, macaroni, and more. These next-to-no-effort noodle dishes are easy to make from prep through cleanup anytime it feels like sweater weather.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
French onion soup inspired this cheesy crowd-pleaser that feeds a family of six. Onions caramelized in butter cook together with orecchiette noodles, garlic, and fresh thyme before getting a generous finish of melty Swiss.
Get the recipe: One-Pot French Onion Pasta
One-Pot Cheesy Beef Macaroni
This mostly homemade pasta is full of protein power to keep kids fueled on Halloween night or anytime there’s a nip in the air. Deluxe boxed macaroni and cheese gets a hearty upgrade from lean ground beef, marinara, and spices cooked together in a single pot.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Cheesy Beef Macaroni
Creamed Spinach Gnocchi Bake
Two freezer standby ingredients are the key to this luscious vegetarian pasta that preps in seven minutes. Cream cheese, mozzarella, and half-and-half make the no-fuss cream sauce for tender pillows of frozen gnocchi baked together with frozen spinach.
Get the recipe: Creamed Spinach Gnocchi Bake
Baked Feta Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach
There’s a reason the tasty combo of feta, roasted tomatoes, and pasta nearly broke the internet. Our version uses ruffly farfalle noodles and frozen spinach for extra flavor and nutrients.
Get the recipe: Baked Feta Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach
Slow Cooker Lasagna
When your stomach says, “lasagna for dinner, please,” but the rest of you says, “I’m too tired to cook,” this no-fuss slow cooker recipe is ready to save the day. Smart shortcuts like no-boil noodles, jarred marinara, and frozen spinach help get this five-ingredient comfort food on the table with just 10 minutes of prep.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Lasagna
One-Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon
The sauce for this creamy pasta with a bright pop of citrus comes together in seconds. Add fresh baby spinach and you’ve got a homerun meal-in-one that’s ready in the time it takes to boil noodles.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Five ingredients and five minutes of simple prep are all you need for this comforting classic. The slow cooker makes it easy to whip up stick-to-your-ribs baked ziti any night of the week.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Shrimp Scampi Casserole
We love our one-pot meals but dump dinners are even better. Cooked frozen shrimp and frozen green peas help bring this dinner together in the oven in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Scampi Casserole
Pasta with Chickpeas
A protein-packed pantry staple helps get this plant-powered pasta on the table in just 20 minutes. Mashed chickpeas and canned tomatoes make up the chunky sauce for jumbo shells with savory scallions and Parmesan.
Get the recipe: Pasta with Chickpeas
One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat and Mushroom Ragu
Jarred marinara sauce and start-to-finish cooking in a single pot make this meaty spaghetti perfect for busy weeknights. Baby bella mushrooms and lean ground beef combine into a hearty ragu finished with fresh basil.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat and Mushroom Ragu
Baked Ziti with Crispy Salami
How do you make hearty baked ziti with two kinds of cheese even more delicious? Top it with a layer of thinly sliced salami that turns irresistibly crisp in the oven.
Get the recipe: Baked Ziti with Crispy Salami
Almost Instant Mac and Cheese
This homemade macaroni with double cheese delivers more ooey-gooey flavor than the boxed stuff in the same amount of time. Cook start to finish in the microwave for an even faster version.
Get the recipe: Almost Instant Mac and Cheese
Stuffed Shells alla Vodka with Spinach
Take a little help from the store for this midweek mashup that combines two Italian favorites in one. Frozen stuffed shells and frozen spinach combine with jarred vodka sauce and plenty of mozzarella in a baked casserole that comes together with 10 minutes of prep.
Get the recipe: Stuffed Shells alla Vodka with Spinach
