Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Noodle Casserole. Our new weeknight staple! Chicken seasoned with Italian herbs, layered with dry pasta, broccoli, and a simple homemade Alfredo-style sauce. Sprinkle cheese and a little extra garlic on top, then bake until bubbling and golden. No boiling, no sautéing — just mix, bake, and enjoy. Finish with grated parmesan and fresh parsley. So simple, so delicious.

I’m all about casseroles this fall season — I love them. I made this one for my family the other night, and everyone agreed it’s a new favorite. And truly, the name says it all: just dump and bake. No extra pots or pans, no extra steps. Completely fuss-free but still incredibly delicious.

It’s the perfect family casserole for this busy time of year. As much as I love cooking elaborate meals, there are so many nights when I have almost no time, but I still want to put something comforting and homemade on the table. Recipes like this make that possible — and honestly, they’re the ones we end up relying on most.

I’ll be making this cozy, creamy casserole on repeat all fall and winter long.

These are the details

Ingredients

• salted butter
• boneless chicken breast or tenders
• italian seasoning
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt, pepper, chili flakes
• dry short-cut pasta or egg noodles
• chopped broccoli
• milk
• heavy cream
• cream cheese
• parmesan cheese
• mozzarella or provolone cheese

Tools To Use

You’ll need a large oven-safe casserole dish with a lid. No lid? Foil works too! And a mixing bowl. That’s all.

Tip: use scissors to cut the chicken directly into your casserole dish.

Steps

Step 1: Season the chicken

Melt the butter directly in your casserole dish. Add the chicken, season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper + a pinch of chili flakes.

Step 2: Layer with noodles

Scatter the dry noodles and broccoli florets evenly over the seasoned chicken.
Pour water overtop, this will ensure the pasta cooks up perfectly tender as it bakes.

Step 3: Make the Alfredo sauce

This is a quick and easy version of Alfredo sauce, but it’s so delicious.

In a bowl, whisk together the melted cream cheese, milk, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan until smooth. Melting the cream cheese first helps it incorporate seamlessly.
Want even more flavor? Stir in a spoonful of basil pesto — it’s incredible.

Evenly pour the sauce over the noodles and broccoli.

Step 4: Add cheese and bake

Sprinkle a handful of shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese over the top — I love using a mix of both. Then dust lightly with garlic powder. It’s my secret trick for making the top irresistibly flavorful.

Cover the casserole and bake for about 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the pasta has softened. Remove the cover and bake a few minutes longer to brown the top and get everything bubbling.

Serving

Finish with fresh parsley or basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, if you like.

This cozy, no-fuss casserole is pure comfort food. It reminds me of nights growing up eating my mom’s chicken noodle casserole with my brothers. It’s simple, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser!

Looking for other easy family-style recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken

Cheesy Zucchini Chicken and Rice Bake

One Skillet Street Corn Chicken Enchilada Bake

Lastly, if you make this Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Noodle Casserole, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Late Summer Recipes. Our best recipes to savor the very end of the season! I’m sharing everyone’s most-loved late summer dishes to cook and bake right now. Think fresh tomatoes, zucchini, sweet corn, and juicy peaches — the produce that makes this time of year so special. You’ll find appetizers to share, easy family dinners, and the sweetest desserts to bake. If you’re looking for something delicious to make this weekend, it’s all right here.

As we head into Labor Day, I feel two things at once: excitement for cozy fall days ahead, but also a little sadness to be saying goodbye to sweet summer. It really did fly by! And while fall is absolutely my favorite season, I want to make the most of these last few weeks of summer cooking.

What always bugs me this time of year is how quickly everyone skips straight into fall, pumpkin spice and all, the minute Labor Day ends. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for all the fall recipes too. But late summer is when the produce is at its peak. Tomatoes, corn, zucchini, greens, and especially peaches are never better than right now.

So instead of rushing to crack open a can of pumpkin, let’s lean into peaches, corn, and everything summer has to offer. Below you’ll find a mix of personal favorites and reader-loved recipes, old classics and new gems, all perfect for right now.

Enjoy, and have fun cooking, grilling, and baking this weekend!

appetizers + big salads

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad – most popular 

Peach Burrata Parmesan Crostini with Hot Honey

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata

Easy White Chicken Chili Corn Dip

Mexican Street Corn Dip (most popular)

Peach Thyme Smash

Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita

family dinners 

Simple Roasted Sungold Cherry Tomato Pasta

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken – most popular 

Easy Sheet Pan Tomato Herb Pizza

Dill Pickle Salt and Vinegar Chicken Salad

Easy Bruschetta Chicken

6 Ingredient Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

Everything Cheddar Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese

Skillet Mexican Tomatillo Chicken and Rice

Healthier One Pot Hamburger Helper most popular (especially with kids)

One Pot Buffalo Chicken “Helper”

Rosemary Peach Chicken in a White Wine Pan Sauce

Crockpot Brown Butter Tomato and Ricotta Pasta

Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

3 Cheese Prosciutto Peach Pizza

Zucchini Cheddar Chicken Noodle Casserole

Crockpot Hamburger Helper

One Pan Corn and Zucchini Pesto Orzo Casserole

One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta

Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

desserts – good for bake sales too!

Caramel Peach Dump Cake – most popular

Bake Sale Peanut Butter Oat Bars – the back-to-school/bake sale favorite  

Peaches and Cream Pretzel Pie – super popular 

Jumbo Caramel Peach Cobbler Muffins – just shared, but currently a top recipe

Cinnamon Crunch Peach Muffin Bread – most popular 

Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars – bake sale favorite 

Easy Apple Butter Zucchini Bread – just shared, but currently a top recipe

Blender Zucchini Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Pecan Bread

Easy Ginger Blackberry Peach Cobbler

Cinnamon Maple Brown Butter Blackberry Peach Crisp

If you make any of these Late Summer Recipes, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Homemade Crockpot Hamburger Helper. Forget the boxed stuff—this is everyone’s childhood favorite dinner, made completely from scratch…and honestly, even easier too. Plus, so much tastier! Think of it as the creamier, cozier, better version of what some of you may remember as a kid. Made with ground beef, pasta, a handful of seasonings, and even some shredded zucchini for a little extra veggie boost. It’s the kind of effortless pasta that’s guaranteed to become a weeknight family staple.

Did you grow up on Hamburger Helper? It wasn’t something my dad ever made for us, but I do remember always seeing that red box sitting in the pantry. Funny enough, my oldest brother swears it was one of his favorite dinners. Maybe he made it for himself? I really should ask him! Either way, it’s not a dish I grew up with, but it somehow feels nostalgic all the same.

For years, my brother begged me to make a homemade version, and many years back, I finally caved. I came up with a stove-top recipe that quickly turned into a family favorite—and honestly, I loved making it. But today? I’ve got something even better. This crockpot version is simpler, creamier, and completely hands-off. Truly effortless comfort food that tastes like pure childhood nostalgia…just upgraded.

These are the details

Ingredients

• ground beef – I use Force Of Nature, 80/20 blend
• onions
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• paprika
• salted butter
• ketchup
• broth
• pasta zucchini
• milk
• cheddar cheese
• fresh parsley or tiny basil leaves

Special Tools

This recipe calls for a crockpot. If you don’t have a crockpot, make this recipe here! Other than that, nothing fancy here!

Steps

Step 1: Set it and go

Set your crockpot to high. Add the beef, onions, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, butter, and ketchup. Season generously with salt and black pepper.

Give the meat a quick stir—it will naturally break into pieces as it cooks. Pour in the broth, cover, and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 1–2 hours.

My crockpot can actually cook the raw beef in about an hour on high. It works like magic, I swear!

Step 2: Stir and add the remaining ingredients

Once the beef is done—or when you’re ready to finish—stir in the pasta, zucchini, and whole milk about 20 minutes before serving. I like to add another pinch of salt here too.

Cook until the pasta is just tender. Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.

Step 3: Serve

Spoon the pasta into bowls and top with fresh parsley or basil (straight from the garden if you have it!). Best served right after the pasta is cooked. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a very yummy lunch the next day.

One last tip

If you’d like to make this a freezer meal, cook and freeze just the beef base (without pasta). When ready to serve, thaw in a pot on the stove, add 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, then add the pasta, zucchini, and whole milk. Cook until the pasta is tender, stir in the cheese, and serve. Super easy!

A  few commonly asked Questions:

Looking for other easy family dinners? Here are a few ideas: 

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole

One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese

Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Pasta Bolognese Bake

One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake

Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Hamburger Helper, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!