diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 28e1be16..6fc01795 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to("cuda")
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).images[0]  
 ```
 
 **Note**: If you don't want to use the token, you can also simply download the model weights
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to("cuda")
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).images[0]  
 ```
 
 If you are limited by GPU memory, you might want to consider using the model in `fp16`.
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to("cuda")
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).images[0]  
 ```
 
 Finally, if you wish to use a different scheduler, you can simply instantiate
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to("cuda")
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).images[0]  
     
 image.save("astronaut_rides_horse.png")
 ```
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ init_image = init_image.resize((768, 512))
 prompt = "A fantasy landscape, trending on artstation"
 
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, strength=0.75, guidance_scale=7.5)["sample"]
+    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, strength=0.75, guidance_scale=7.5).images
 
 images[0].save("fantasy_landscape.png")
 ```
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to(device)
 
 prompt = "a cat sitting on a bench"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, mask_image=mask_image, strength=0.75)["sample"]
+    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, mask_image=mask_image, strength=0.75).images
 
 images[0].save("cat_on_bench.png")
 ```
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ ldm = DiffusionPipeline.from_pretrained(model_id)
 
 # run pipeline in inference (sample random noise and denoise)
 prompt = "A painting of a squirrel eating a burger"
-images = ldm([prompt], num_inference_steps=50, eta=0.3, guidance_scale=6)["sample"]
+images = ldm([prompt], num_inference_steps=50, eta=0.3, guidance_scale=6).images
 
 # save images
 for idx, image in enumerate(images):
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ model_id = "google/ddpm-celebahq-256"
 ddpm = DDPMPipeline.from_pretrained(model_id)  # you can replace DDPMPipeline with DDIMPipeline or PNDMPipeline for faster inference
 
 # run pipeline in inference (sample random noise and denoise)
-image = ddpm()["sample"]
+image = ddpm().images
 
 # save image
 image[0].save("ddpm_generated_image.png")
diff --git a/examples/textual_inversion/README.md b/examples/textual_inversion/README.md
index 17dfe014..74ebcd51 100644
--- a/examples/textual_inversion/README.md
+++ b/examples/textual_inversion/README.md
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ pipe = pipe = StableDiffusionPipeline.from_pretrained(model_id,torch_dtype=torch
 prompt = "A <cat-toy> backpack"
 
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt, num_inference_steps=50, guidance_scale=7.5)["sample"][0]
+    image = pipe(prompt, num_inference_steps=50, guidance_scale=7.5).images[0]
 
 image.save("cat-backpack.png")
 ```
diff --git a/examples/textual_inversion/textual_inversion.py b/examples/textual_inversion/textual_inversion.py
index fe19e0ea..dd8627e3 100644
--- a/examples/textual_inversion/textual_inversion.py
+++ b/examples/textual_inversion/textual_inversion.py
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ def main():
         for step, batch in enumerate(train_dataloader):
             with accelerator.accumulate(text_encoder):
                 # Convert images to latent space
-                latents = vae.encode(batch["pixel_values"]).sample().detach()
+                latents = vae.encode(batch["pixel_values"]).latent_dist.sample().detach()
                 latents = latents * 0.18215
 
                 # Sample noise that we'll add to the latents
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ def main():
                 encoder_hidden_states = text_encoder(batch["input_ids"])[0]
 
                 # Predict the noise residual
-                noise_pred = unet(noisy_latents, timesteps, encoder_hidden_states)["sample"]
+                noise_pred = unet(noisy_latents, timesteps, encoder_hidden_states).sample
 
                 loss = F.mse_loss(noise_pred, noise, reduction="none").mean([1, 2, 3]).mean()
                 accelerator.backward(loss)
diff --git a/examples/unconditional_image_generation/train_unconditional.py b/examples/unconditional_image_generation/train_unconditional.py
index 5edb2457..fe4e9b0d 100644
--- a/examples/unconditional_image_generation/train_unconditional.py
+++ b/examples/unconditional_image_generation/train_unconditional.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ def main(args):
 
             with accelerator.accumulate(model):
                 # Predict the noise residual
-                noise_pred = model(noisy_images, timesteps)["sample"]
+                noise_pred = model(noisy_images, timesteps).sample
                 loss = F.mse_loss(noise_pred, noise)
                 accelerator.backward(loss)
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def main(args):
 
                 generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
                 # run pipeline in inference (sample random noise and denoise)
-                images = pipeline(generator=generator, batch_size=args.eval_batch_size, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+                images = pipeline(generator=generator, batch_size=args.eval_batch_size, output_type="numpy").images
 
                 # denormalize the images and save to tensorboard
                 images_processed = (images * 255).round().astype("uint8")
diff --git a/scripts/generate_logits.py b/scripts/generate_logits.py
index 61851212..47dc5485 100644
--- a/scripts/generate_logits.py
+++ b/scripts/generate_logits.py
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ for mod in models:
         noise = torch.randn(1, model.config.in_channels, model.config.sample_size, model.config.sample_size)
         time_step = torch.tensor([10] * noise.shape[0])
         with torch.no_grad():
-            logits = model(noise, time_step)["sample"]
+            logits = model(noise, time_step).sample
 
         assert torch.allclose(
             logits[0, 0, 0, :30], results["_".join("_".join(mod.modelId.split("/")).split("-"))], atol=1e-3
diff --git a/src/diffusers/hub_utils.py b/src/diffusers/hub_utils.py
index 0af2033a..c07329e3 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/hub_utils.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/hub_utils.py
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ import shutil
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional
 
-from diffusers import DiffusionPipeline
 from huggingface_hub import HfFolder, Repository, whoami
 
+from .pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
 from .utils import is_modelcards_available, logging
 
 
diff --git a/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d.py b/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d.py
index 86344563..46d5ee53 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d.py
@@ -1,14 +1,27 @@
-from typing import Dict, Optional, Tuple, Union
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 import torch.nn as nn
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
 from ..modeling_utils import ModelMixin
+from ..utils import BaseOutput
 from .embeddings import GaussianFourierProjection, TimestepEmbedding, Timesteps
 from .unet_blocks import UNetMidBlock2D, get_down_block, get_up_block
 
 
+@dataclass
+class UNet2DOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Args:
+        sample (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)`):
+            Hidden states output. Output of last layer of model.
+    """
+
+    sample: torch.FloatTensor
+
+
 class UNet2DModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
     @register_to_config
     def __init__(
@@ -118,8 +131,11 @@ class UNet2DModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
         self.conv_out = nn.Conv2d(block_out_channels[0], out_channels, 3, padding=1)
 
     def forward(
-        self, sample: torch.FloatTensor, timestep: Union[torch.Tensor, float, int]
-    ) -> Dict[str, torch.FloatTensor]:
+        self,
+        sample: torch.FloatTensor,
+        timestep: Union[torch.Tensor, float, int],
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[UNet2DOutput, Tuple]:
         # 0. center input if necessary
         if self.config.center_input_sample:
             sample = 2 * sample - 1.0
@@ -181,6 +197,7 @@ class UNet2DModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
             timesteps = timesteps.reshape((sample.shape[0], *([1] * len(sample.shape[1:]))))
             sample = sample / timesteps
 
-        output = {"sample": sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (sample,)
 
-        return output
+        return UNet2DOutput(sample=sample)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d_condition.py b/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d_condition.py
index a6f6eb79..e9aeb5eb 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d_condition.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/models/unet_2d_condition.py
@@ -1,14 +1,27 @@
-from typing import Dict, Optional, Tuple, Union
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 import torch.nn as nn
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
 from ..modeling_utils import ModelMixin
+from ..utils import BaseOutput
 from .embeddings import TimestepEmbedding, Timesteps
 from .unet_blocks import UNetMidBlock2DCrossAttn, get_down_block, get_up_block
 
 
+@dataclass
+class UNet2DConditionOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Args:
+        sample (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)`):
+            Hidden states conditioned on `encoder_hidden_states` input. Output of last layer of model.
+    """
+
+    sample: torch.FloatTensor
+
+
 class UNet2DConditionModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
     @register_to_config
     def __init__(
@@ -125,7 +138,8 @@ class UNet2DConditionModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
         sample: torch.FloatTensor,
         timestep: Union[torch.Tensor, float, int],
         encoder_hidden_states: torch.Tensor,
-    ) -> Dict[str, torch.FloatTensor]:
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[UNet2DConditionOutput, Tuple]:
         # 0. center input if necessary
         if self.config.center_input_sample:
             sample = 2 * sample - 1.0
@@ -183,6 +197,7 @@ class UNet2DConditionModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
         sample = self.conv_act(sample)
         sample = self.conv_out(sample)
 
-        output = {"sample": sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (sample,)
 
-        return output
+        return UNet2DConditionOutput(sample=sample)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/models/vae.py b/src/diffusers/models/vae.py
index d9fe8960..2897a3a0 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/models/vae.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/models/vae.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-from typing import Optional, Tuple
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
@@ -6,9 +7,50 @@ import torch.nn as nn
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
 from ..modeling_utils import ModelMixin
+from ..utils import BaseOutput
 from .unet_blocks import UNetMidBlock2D, get_down_block, get_up_block
 
 
+@dataclass
+class DecoderOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output of decoding method.
+
+    Args:
+        sample (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)`):
+            Decoded output sample of the model. Output of the last layer of the model.
+    """
+
+    sample: torch.FloatTensor
+
+
+@dataclass
+class VQEncoderOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output of VQModel encoding method.
+
+    Args:
+        latents (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)`):
+            Encoded output sample of the model. Output of the last layer of the model.
+    """
+
+    latents: torch.FloatTensor
+
+
+@dataclass
+class AutoencoderKLOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output of AutoencoderKL encoding method.
+
+    Args:
+        latent_dist (`DiagonalGaussianDistribution`):
+            Encoded outputs of `Encoder` represented as the mean and logvar of `DiagonalGaussianDistribution`.
+            `DiagonalGaussianDistribution` allows for sampling latents from the distribution.
+    """
+
+    latent_dist: "DiagonalGaussianDistribution"
+
+
 class Encoder(nn.Module):
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -369,12 +411,18 @@ class VQModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
             act_fn=act_fn,
         )
 
-    def encode(self, x):
+    def encode(self, x, return_dict: bool = True):
         h = self.encoder(x)
         h = self.quant_conv(h)
-        return h
 
-    def decode(self, h, force_not_quantize=False):
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (h,)
+
+        return VQEncoderOutput(latents=h)
+
+    def decode(
+        self, h: torch.FloatTensor, force_not_quantize: bool = False, return_dict: bool = True
+    ) -> Union[DecoderOutput, torch.FloatTensor]:
         # also go through quantization layer
         if not force_not_quantize:
             quant, emb_loss, info = self.quantize(h)
@@ -382,13 +430,21 @@ class VQModel(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
             quant = h
         quant = self.post_quant_conv(quant)
         dec = self.decoder(quant)
-        return dec
 
-    def forward(self, sample: torch.FloatTensor) -> torch.FloatTensor:
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (dec,)
+
+        return DecoderOutput(sample=dec)
+
+    def forward(self, sample: torch.FloatTensor, return_dict: bool = True) -> Union[DecoderOutput, torch.FloatTensor]:
         x = sample
-        h = self.encode(x)
-        dec = self.decode(h)
-        return dec
+        h = self.encode(x).latents
+        dec = self.decode(h).sample
+
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (dec,)
+
+        return DecoderOutput(sample=dec)
 
 
 class AutoencoderKL(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
@@ -431,23 +487,37 @@ class AutoencoderKL(ModelMixin, ConfigMixin):
         self.quant_conv = torch.nn.Conv2d(2 * latent_channels, 2 * latent_channels, 1)
         self.post_quant_conv = torch.nn.Conv2d(latent_channels, latent_channels, 1)
 
-    def encode(self, x):
+    def encode(self, x, return_dict: bool = True):
         h = self.encoder(x)
         moments = self.quant_conv(h)
         posterior = DiagonalGaussianDistribution(moments)
-        return posterior
 
-    def decode(self, z):
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (posterior,)
+
+        return AutoencoderKLOutput(latent_dist=posterior)
+
+    def decode(self, z: torch.FloatTensor, return_dict: bool = True) -> Union[DecoderOutput, torch.FloatTensor]:
         z = self.post_quant_conv(z)
         dec = self.decoder(z)
-        return dec
 
-    def forward(self, sample: torch.FloatTensor, sample_posterior: bool = False) -> torch.FloatTensor:
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (dec,)
+
+        return DecoderOutput(sample=dec)
+
+    def forward(
+        self, sample: torch.FloatTensor, sample_posterior: bool = False, return_dict: bool = True
+    ) -> Union[DecoderOutput, torch.FloatTensor]:
         x = sample
-        posterior = self.encode(x)
+        posterior = self.encode(x).latent_dist
         if sample_posterior:
             z = posterior.sample()
         else:
             z = posterior.mode()
-        dec = self.decode(z)
-        return dec
+        dec = self.decode(z).sample
+
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (dec,)
+
+        return DecoderOutput(sample=dec)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipeline_utils.py b/src/diffusers/pipeline_utils.py
index 214133bc..fc2bc7bc 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipeline_utils.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipeline_utils.py
@@ -17,16 +17,19 @@
 import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
-from typing import Optional, Union
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import List, Optional, Union
 
+import numpy as np
 import torch
 
+import PIL
 from huggingface_hub import snapshot_download
 from PIL import Image
 from tqdm.auto import tqdm
 
 from .configuration_utils import ConfigMixin
-from .utils import DIFFUSERS_CACHE, logging
+from .utils import DIFFUSERS_CACHE, BaseOutput, logging
 
 
 INDEX_FILE = "diffusion_pytorch_model.bin"
@@ -54,6 +57,20 @@ for library in LOADABLE_CLASSES:
     ALL_IMPORTABLE_CLASSES.update(LOADABLE_CLASSES[library])
 
 
+@dataclass
+class ImagePipelineOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output class for image pipelines.
+
+    Args:
+        images (`List[PIL.Image.Image]` or `np.ndarray`)
+            List of denoised PIL images of length `batch_size` or numpy array of shape `(batch_size, height, width,
+            num_channels)`. PIL images or numpy array present the denoised images of the diffusion pipeline.
+    """
+
+    images: Union[List[PIL.Image.Image], np.ndarray]
+
+
 class DiffusionPipeline(ConfigMixin):
 
     config_name = "model_index.json"
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/README.md b/src/diffusers/pipelines/README.md
index 68fce06c..529f89fe 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/README.md
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/README.md
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to("cuda")
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).images[0]  
     
 image.save("astronaut_rides_horse.png")
 ```
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ init_image = init_image.resize((768, 512))
 prompt = "A fantasy landscape, trending on artstation"
 
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, strength=0.75, guidance_scale=7.5)["sample"]
+    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, strength=0.75, guidance_scale=7.5).images
 
 images[0].save("fantasy_landscape.png")
 ```
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ pipe = StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline.from_pretrained(
 
 prompt = "a cat sitting on a bench"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, mask_image=mask_image, strength=0.75)["sample"]
+    images = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, mask_image=mask_image, strength=0.75).images
 
 images[0].save("cat_on_bench.png")
 ```
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddim/pipeline_ddim.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddim/pipeline_ddim.py
index 03a9c52b..3dbe32b4 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddim/pipeline_ddim.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddim/pipeline_ddim.py
@@ -15,10 +15,11 @@
 
 
 import warnings
+from typing import Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 
-from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 
 
 class DDIMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
@@ -28,7 +29,16 @@ class DDIMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         self.register_modules(unet=unet, scheduler=scheduler)
 
     @torch.no_grad()
-    def __call__(self, batch_size=1, generator=None, eta=0.0, num_inference_steps=50, output_type="pil", **kwargs):
+    def __call__(
+        self,
+        batch_size=1,
+        generator=None,
+        eta=0.0,
+        num_inference_steps=50,
+        output_type="pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> Union[ImagePipelineOutput, Tuple]:
 
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
             device = kwargs.pop("torch_device")
@@ -56,15 +66,18 @@ class DDIMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
         for t in self.progress_bar(self.scheduler.timesteps):
             # 1. predict noise model_output
-            model_output = self.unet(image, t)["sample"]
+            model_output = self.unet(image, t).sample
 
             # 2. predict previous mean of image x_t-1 and add variance depending on eta
             # do x_t -> x_t-1
-            image = self.scheduler.step(model_output, t, image, eta)["prev_sample"]
+            image = self.scheduler.step(model_output, t, image, eta).prev_sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=image)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddpm/pipeline_ddpm.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddpm/pipeline_ddpm.py
index 5d735a39..9111d9e1 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddpm/pipeline_ddpm.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/ddpm/pipeline_ddpm.py
@@ -15,10 +15,11 @@
 
 
 import warnings
+from typing import Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 
-from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 
 
 class DDPMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
@@ -28,7 +29,9 @@ class DDPMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         self.register_modules(unet=unet, scheduler=scheduler)
 
     @torch.no_grad()
-    def __call__(self, batch_size=1, generator=None, output_type="pil", **kwargs):
+    def __call__(
+        self, batch_size=1, generator=None, output_type="pil", return_dict: bool = True, **kwargs
+    ) -> Union[ImagePipelineOutput, Tuple]:
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
             device = kwargs.pop("torch_device")
             warnings.warn(
@@ -53,14 +56,17 @@ class DDPMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
         for t in self.progress_bar(self.scheduler.timesteps):
             # 1. predict noise model_output
-            model_output = self.unet(image, t)["sample"]
+            model_output = self.unet(image, t).sample
 
             # 2. compute previous image: x_t -> t_t-1
-            image = self.scheduler.step(model_output, t, image, generator=generator)["prev_sample"]
+            image = self.scheduler.step(model_output, t, image, generator=generator).prev_sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=image)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion/pipeline_latent_diffusion.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion/pipeline_latent_diffusion.py
index a348d9c0..efc847db 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion/pipeline_latent_diffusion.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion/pipeline_latent_diffusion.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from transformers.modeling_outputs import BaseModelOutput
 from transformers.modeling_utils import PreTrainedModel
 from transformers.utils import logging
 
-from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 
 
 class LDMTextToImagePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@ class LDMTextToImagePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         eta: Optional[float] = 0.0,
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[Tuple, ImagePipelineOutput]:
         # eta corresponds to η in paper and should be between [0, 1]
 
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
@@ -95,25 +96,28 @@ class LDMTextToImagePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
                 context = torch.cat([uncond_embeddings, text_embeddings])
 
             # predict the noise residual
-            noise_pred = self.unet(latents_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=context)["sample"]
+            noise_pred = self.unet(latents_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=context).sample
             # perform guidance
             if guidance_scale != 1.0:
                 noise_pred_uncond, noise_prediction_text = noise_pred.chunk(2)
                 noise_pred = noise_pred_uncond + guidance_scale * (noise_prediction_text - noise_pred_uncond)
 
             # compute the previous noisy sample x_t -> x_t-1
-            latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_kwargs).prev_sample
 
         # scale and decode the image latents with vae
         latents = 1 / 0.18215 * latents
-        image = self.vqvae.decode(latents)
+        image = self.vqvae.decode(latents).sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=image)
 
 
 ################################################################################
@@ -525,7 +529,7 @@ class LDMBertEncoder(LDMBertPreTrainedModel):
                 Whether or not to return the hidden states of all layers. See `hidden_states` under returned tensors
                 for more detail.
             return_dict (`bool`, *optional*):
-                Whether or not to return a [`~utils.ModelOutput`] instead of a plain tuple.
+                Whether or not to return a [`~utils.BaseModelOutput`] instead of a plain tuple.
         """
         output_attentions = output_attentions if output_attentions is not None else self.config.output_attentions
         output_hidden_states = (
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion_uncond/pipeline_latent_diffusion_uncond.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion_uncond/pipeline_latent_diffusion_uncond.py
index b4d6db58..0ba4cfde 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion_uncond/pipeline_latent_diffusion_uncond.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/latent_diffusion_uncond/pipeline_latent_diffusion_uncond.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import inspect
 import warnings
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 
 from ...models import UNet2DModel, VQModel
-from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 from ...schedulers import DDIMScheduler
 
 
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ class LDMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         eta: float = 0.0,
         num_inference_steps: int = 50,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[Tuple, ImagePipelineOutput]:
         # eta corresponds to η in paper and should be between [0, 1]
 
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
@@ -61,16 +62,19 @@ class LDMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
         for t in self.progress_bar(self.scheduler.timesteps):
             # predict the noise residual
-            noise_prediction = self.unet(latents, t)["sample"]
+            noise_prediction = self.unet(latents, t).sample
             # compute the previous noisy sample x_t -> x_t-1
-            latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_prediction, t, latents, **extra_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_prediction, t, latents, **extra_kwargs).prev_sample
 
         # decode the image latents with the VAE
-        image = self.vqvae.decode(latents)
+        image = self.vqvae.decode(latents).sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=image)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/pndm/pipeline_pndm.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/pndm/pipeline_pndm.py
index 632e3177..7b43c82a 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/pndm/pipeline_pndm.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/pndm/pipeline_pndm.py
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@
 
 
 import warnings
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 
 from ...models import UNet2DModel
-from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 from ...schedulers import PNDMScheduler
 
 
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ class PNDMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         num_inference_steps: int = 50,
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[ImagePipelineOutput, Tuple]:
         # For more information on the sampling method you can take a look at Algorithm 2 of
         # the official paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2202.09778.pdf
 
@@ -66,13 +67,16 @@ class PNDMPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
         self.scheduler.set_timesteps(num_inference_steps)
         for t in self.progress_bar(self.scheduler.timesteps):
-            model_output = self.unet(image, t)["sample"]
+            model_output = self.unet(image, t).sample
 
-            image = self.scheduler.step(model_output, t, image)["prev_sample"]
+            image = self.scheduler.step(model_output, t, image).prev_sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=image)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/score_sde_ve/pipeline_score_sde_ve.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/score_sde_ve/pipeline_score_sde_ve.py
index 61008272..088f3141 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/score_sde_ve/pipeline_score_sde_ve.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/score_sde_ve/pipeline_score_sde_ve.py
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 import warnings
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 
-from diffusers import DiffusionPipeline
-
 from ...models import UNet2DModel
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 from ...schedulers import ScoreSdeVeScheduler
 
 
@@ -26,8 +25,9 @@ class ScoreSdeVePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         num_inference_steps: int = 2000,
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[ImagePipelineOutput, Tuple]:
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
             device = kwargs.pop("torch_device")
             warnings.warn(
@@ -56,18 +56,21 @@ class ScoreSdeVePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
             # correction step
             for _ in range(self.scheduler.correct_steps):
-                model_output = self.unet(sample, sigma_t)["sample"]
-                sample = self.scheduler.step_correct(model_output, sample, generator=generator)["prev_sample"]
+                model_output = self.unet(sample, sigma_t).sample
+                sample = self.scheduler.step_correct(model_output, sample, generator=generator).prev_sample
 
             # prediction step
-            model_output = model(sample, sigma_t)["sample"]
+            model_output = model(sample, sigma_t).sample
             output = self.scheduler.step_pred(model_output, t, sample, generator=generator)
 
-            sample, sample_mean = output["prev_sample"], output["prev_sample_mean"]
+            sample, sample_mean = output.prev_sample, output.prev_sample_mean
 
         sample = sample_mean.clamp(0, 1)
         sample = sample.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
             sample = self.numpy_to_pil(sample)
 
-        return {"sample": sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (sample,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=sample)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/README.md b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/README.md
index bb6aced0..64f17a3f 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/README.md
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/README.md
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ pipe = pipe.to("cuda")
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).sample[0]  
     
 image.save("astronaut_rides_horse.png")
 ```
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ pipe = StableDiffusionPipeline.from_pretrained(
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).sample[0]  
     
 image.save("astronaut_rides_horse.png")
 ```
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ pipe = StableDiffusionPipeline.from_pretrained(
 
 prompt = "a photo of an astronaut riding a horse on mars"
 with autocast("cuda"):
-    image = pipe(prompt)["sample"][0]  
+    image = pipe(prompt).sample[0]  
     
 image.save("astronaut_rides_horse.png")
 ```
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/__init__.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/__init__.py
index 1721caf0..8bfa394c 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/__init__.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,31 @@
 # flake8: noqa
-from ...utils import is_transformers_available
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import List, Union
+
+import numpy as np
+
+import PIL
+from PIL import Image
+
+from ...utils import BaseOutput, is_transformers_available
+
+
+@dataclass
+class StableDiffusionPipelineOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output class for Stable Diffusion pipelines.
+
+    Args:
+        images (`List[PIL.Image.Image]` or `np.ndarray`)
+            List of denoised PIL images of length `batch_size` or numpy array of shape `(batch_size, height, width,
+            num_channels)`. PIL images or numpy array present the denoised images of the diffusion pipeline.
+        nsfw_content_detected (`List[bool]`)
+            List of flags denoting whether the corresponding generated image likely represents "not-safe-for-work"
+            (nsfw) content.
+    """
+
+    images: Union[List[PIL.Image.Image], np.ndarray]
+    nsfw_content_detected: List[bool]
 
 
 if is_transformers_available():
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion.py
index d4290da6..36ef4a19 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from transformers import CLIPFeatureExtractor, CLIPTextModel, CLIPTokenizer
 from ...models import AutoencoderKL, UNet2DConditionModel
 from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
 from ...schedulers import DDIMScheduler, LMSDiscreteScheduler, PNDMScheduler
+from . import StableDiffusionPipelineOutput
 from .safety_checker import StableDiffusionSafetyChecker
 
 
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ class StableDiffusionPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         latents: Optional[torch.FloatTensor] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
@@ -141,7 +143,7 @@ class StableDiffusionPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
                 latent_model_input = latent_model_input / ((sigma**2 + 1) ** 0.5)
 
             # predict the noise residual
-            noise_pred = self.unet(latent_model_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=text_embeddings)["sample"]
+            noise_pred = self.unet(latent_model_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=text_embeddings).sample
 
             # perform guidance
             if do_classifier_free_guidance:
@@ -150,13 +152,13 @@ class StableDiffusionPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
             # compute the previous noisy sample x_t -> x_t-1
             if isinstance(self.scheduler, LMSDiscreteScheduler):
-                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, i, latents, **extra_step_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, i, latents, **extra_step_kwargs).prev_sample
             else:
-                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_step_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_step_kwargs).prev_sample
 
         # scale and decode the image latents with vae
         latents = 1 / 0.18215 * latents
-        image = self.vae.decode(latents)
+        image = self.vae.decode(latents).sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
@@ -168,4 +170,7 @@ class StableDiffusionPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image, "nsfw_content_detected": has_nsfw_concept}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image, has_nsfw_concept)
+
+        return StableDiffusionPipelineOutput(images=image, nsfw_content_detected=has_nsfw_concept)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_img2img.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_img2img.py
index 6c64f45c..84b42761 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_img2img.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_img2img.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from transformers import CLIPFeatureExtractor, CLIPTextModel, CLIPTokenizer
 from ...models import AutoencoderKL, UNet2DConditionModel
 from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
 from ...schedulers import DDIMScheduler, LMSDiscreteScheduler, PNDMScheduler
+from . import StableDiffusionPipelineOutput
 from .safety_checker import StableDiffusionSafetyChecker
 
 
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ class StableDiffusionImg2ImgPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         eta: Optional[float] = 0.0,
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
     ):
 
         if isinstance(prompt, str):
@@ -83,7 +85,8 @@ class StableDiffusionImg2ImgPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
             init_image = preprocess(init_image)
 
         # encode the init image into latents and scale the latents
-        init_latents = self.vae.encode(init_image.to(self.device)).sample(generator=generator)
+        init_latent_dist = self.vae.encode(init_image.to(self.device)).latent_dist
+        init_latents = init_latent_dist.sample(generator=generator)
         init_latents = 0.18215 * init_latents
 
         # expand init_latents for batch_size
@@ -158,7 +161,7 @@ class StableDiffusionImg2ImgPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
                 t = t.to(self.unet.dtype)
 
             # predict the noise residual
-            noise_pred = self.unet(latent_model_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=text_embeddings)["sample"]
+            noise_pred = self.unet(latent_model_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=text_embeddings).sample
 
             # perform guidance
             if do_classifier_free_guidance:
@@ -167,13 +170,13 @@ class StableDiffusionImg2ImgPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
             # compute the previous noisy sample x_t -> x_t-1
             if isinstance(self.scheduler, LMSDiscreteScheduler):
-                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t_index, latents, **extra_step_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t_index, latents, **extra_step_kwargs).prev_sample
             else:
-                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_step_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+                latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_step_kwargs).prev_sample
 
         # scale and decode the image latents with vae
         latents = 1 / 0.18215 * latents
-        image = self.vae.decode(latents.to(self.vae.dtype))
+        image = self.vae.decode(latents.to(self.vae.dtype)).sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
@@ -185,4 +188,7 @@ class StableDiffusionImg2ImgPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image, "nsfw_content_detected": has_nsfw_concept}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image, has_nsfw_concept)
+
+        return StableDiffusionPipelineOutput(images=image, nsfw_content_detected=has_nsfw_concept)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_inpaint.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_inpaint.py
index 68278467..ca054adb 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_inpaint.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stable_diffusion/pipeline_stable_diffusion_inpaint.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from transformers import CLIPFeatureExtractor, CLIPTextModel, CLIPTokenizer
 from ...models import AutoencoderKL, UNet2DConditionModel
 from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
 from ...schedulers import DDIMScheduler, PNDMScheduler
+from . import StableDiffusionPipelineOutput
 from .safety_checker import StableDiffusionSafetyChecker
 
 
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@ class StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         eta: Optional[float] = 0.0,
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
     ):
 
         if isinstance(prompt, str):
@@ -98,7 +100,9 @@ class StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         init_image = preprocess_image(init_image).to(self.device)
 
         # encode the init image into latents and scale the latents
-        init_latents = self.vae.encode(init_image).sample(generator=generator)
+        init_latent_dist = self.vae.encode(init_image.to(self.device)).latent_dist
+        init_latents = init_latent_dist.sample(generator=generator)
+
         init_latents = 0.18215 * init_latents
 
         # Expand init_latents for batch_size
@@ -166,7 +170,7 @@ class StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
             latent_model_input = torch.cat([latents] * 2) if do_classifier_free_guidance else latents
 
             # predict the noise residual
-            noise_pred = self.unet(latent_model_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=text_embeddings)["sample"]
+            noise_pred = self.unet(latent_model_input, t, encoder_hidden_states=text_embeddings).sample
 
             # perform guidance
             if do_classifier_free_guidance:
@@ -174,7 +178,7 @@ class StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
                 noise_pred = noise_pred_uncond + guidance_scale * (noise_pred_text - noise_pred_uncond)
 
             # compute the previous noisy sample x_t -> x_t-1
-            latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_step_kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            latents = self.scheduler.step(noise_pred, t, latents, **extra_step_kwargs).prev_sample
 
             # masking
             init_latents_proper = self.scheduler.add_noise(init_latents_orig, noise, t)
@@ -182,7 +186,7 @@ class StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
         # scale and decode the image latents with vae
         latents = 1 / 0.18215 * latents
-        image = self.vae.decode(latents)
+        image = self.vae.decode(latents).sample
 
         image = (image / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
         image = image.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
@@ -194,4 +198,7 @@ class StableDiffusionInpaintPipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         if output_type == "pil":
             image = self.numpy_to_pil(image)
 
-        return {"sample": image, "nsfw_content_detected": has_nsfw_concept}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image, has_nsfw_concept)
+
+        return StableDiffusionPipelineOutput(images=image, nsfw_content_detected=has_nsfw_concept)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stochatic_karras_ve/pipeline_stochastic_karras_ve.py b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stochatic_karras_ve/pipeline_stochastic_karras_ve.py
index 007395a1..c35e04d1 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/pipelines/stochatic_karras_ve/pipeline_stochastic_karras_ve.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/pipelines/stochatic_karras_ve/pipeline_stochastic_karras_ve.py
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 import warnings
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import torch
 
 from ...models import UNet2DModel
-from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline
+from ...pipeline_utils import DiffusionPipeline, ImagePipelineOutput
 from ...schedulers import KarrasVeScheduler
 
 
@@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ class KarrasVePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
         num_inference_steps: int = 50,
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
         output_type: Optional[str] = "pil",
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[Tuple, ImagePipelineOutput]:
         if "torch_device" in kwargs:
             device = kwargs.pop("torch_device")
             warnings.warn(
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ class KarrasVePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
 
             # 3. Predict the noise residual given the noise magnitude `sigma_hat`
             # The model inputs and output are adjusted by following eq. (213) in [1].
-            model_output = (sigma_hat / 2) * model((sample_hat + 1) / 2, sigma_hat / 2)["sample"]
+            model_output = (sigma_hat / 2) * model((sample_hat + 1) / 2, sigma_hat / 2).sample
 
             # 4. Evaluate dx/dt at sigma_hat
             # 5. Take Euler step from sigma to sigma_prev
@@ -80,20 +81,23 @@ class KarrasVePipeline(DiffusionPipeline):
             if sigma_prev != 0:
                 # 6. Apply 2nd order correction
                 # The model inputs and output are adjusted by following eq. (213) in [1].
-                model_output = (sigma_prev / 2) * model((step_output["prev_sample"] + 1) / 2, sigma_prev / 2)["sample"]
+                model_output = (sigma_prev / 2) * model((step_output.prev_sample + 1) / 2, sigma_prev / 2).sample
                 step_output = self.scheduler.step_correct(
                     model_output,
                     sigma_hat,
                     sigma_prev,
                     sample_hat,
-                    step_output["prev_sample"],
+                    step_output.prev_sample,
                     step_output["derivative"],
                 )
-            sample = step_output["prev_sample"]
+            sample = step_output.prev_sample
 
         sample = (sample / 2 + 0.5).clamp(0, 1)
-        sample = sample.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
+        image = sample.cpu().permute(0, 2, 3, 1).numpy()
         if output_type == "pil":
-            sample = self.numpy_to_pil(sample)
+            image = self.numpy_to_pil(sample)
 
-        return {"sample": sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (image,)
+
+        return ImagePipelineOutput(images=image)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddim.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddim.py
index 1f0003f5..78c2f735 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddim.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddim.py
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@
 # and https://github.com/hojonathanho/diffusion
 
 import math
-from typing import Optional, Union
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
-from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin
+from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin, SchedulerOutput
 
 
 def betas_for_alpha_bar(num_diffusion_timesteps, max_beta=0.999):
@@ -116,7 +116,9 @@ class DDIMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         eta: float = 0.0,
         use_clipped_model_output: bool = False,
         generator=None,
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
+
         if self.num_inference_steps is None:
             raise ValueError(
                 "Number of inference steps is 'None', you need to run 'set_timesteps' after creating the scheduler"
@@ -174,7 +176,10 @@ class DDIMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
 
             prev_sample = prev_sample + variance
 
-        return {"prev_sample": prev_sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (prev_sample,)
+
+        return SchedulerOutput(prev_sample=prev_sample)
 
     def add_noise(
         self,
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddpm.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddpm.py
index 789c9b2a..b0f4b081 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddpm.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_ddpm.py
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@
 # DISCLAIMER: This file is strongly influenced by https://github.com/ermongroup/ddim
 
 import math
-from typing import Optional, Union
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
-from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin
+from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin, SchedulerOutput
 
 
 def betas_for_alpha_bar(num_diffusion_timesteps, max_beta=0.999):
@@ -135,7 +135,9 @@ class DDPMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         predict_epsilon=True,
         generator=None,
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
+
         t = timestep
 
         if model_output.shape[1] == sample.shape[1] * 2 and self.variance_type in ["learned", "learned_range"]:
@@ -177,7 +179,10 @@ class DDPMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
 
         pred_prev_sample = pred_prev_sample + variance
 
-        return {"prev_sample": pred_prev_sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (pred_prev_sample,)
+
+        return SchedulerOutput(prev_sample=pred_prev_sample)
 
     def add_noise(
         self,
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_karras_ve.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_karras_ve.py
index 320c682c..8c7d772f 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_karras_ve.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_karras_ve.py
@@ -13,15 +13,34 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from typing import Union
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
+from ..utils import BaseOutput
 from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin
 
 
+@dataclass
+class KarrasVeOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output class for the scheduler's step function output.
+
+    Args:
+        prev_sample (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)` for images):
+            Computed sample (x_{t-1}) of previous timestep. `prev_sample` should be used as next model input in the
+            denoising loop.
+        derivative (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)` for images):
+            Derivate of predicted original image sample (x_0).
+    """
+
+    prev_sample: torch.FloatTensor
+    derivative: torch.FloatTensor
+
+
 class KarrasVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
     """
     Stochastic sampling from Karras et al. [1] tailored to the Variance-Expanding (VE) models [2]. Use Algorithm 2 and
@@ -102,12 +121,17 @@ class KarrasVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         sigma_hat: float,
         sigma_prev: float,
         sample_hat: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[KarrasVeOutput, Tuple]:
+
         pred_original_sample = sample_hat + sigma_hat * model_output
         derivative = (sample_hat - pred_original_sample) / sigma_hat
         sample_prev = sample_hat + (sigma_prev - sigma_hat) * derivative
 
-        return {"prev_sample": sample_prev, "derivative": derivative}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (sample_prev, derivative)
+
+        return KarrasVeOutput(prev_sample=sample_prev, derivative=derivative)
 
     def step_correct(
         self,
@@ -117,11 +141,17 @@ class KarrasVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         sample_hat: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         sample_prev: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         derivative: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[KarrasVeOutput, Tuple]:
+
         pred_original_sample = sample_prev + sigma_prev * model_output
         derivative_corr = (sample_prev - pred_original_sample) / sigma_prev
         sample_prev = sample_hat + (sigma_prev - sigma_hat) * (0.5 * derivative + 0.5 * derivative_corr)
-        return {"prev_sample": sample_prev, "derivative": derivative_corr}
+
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (sample_prev, derivative)
+
+        return KarrasVeOutput(prev_sample=sample_prev, derivative=derivative)
 
     def add_noise(self, original_samples, noise, timesteps):
         raise NotImplementedError()
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_lms_discrete.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_lms_discrete.py
index e6adcaac..8a6ce0d9 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_lms_discrete.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_lms_discrete.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from typing import Union
+from typing import Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import torch
 from scipy import integrate
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
-from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin
+from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin, SchedulerOutput
 
 
 class LMSDiscreteScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
@@ -100,7 +100,8 @@ class LMSDiscreteScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         timestep: int,
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         order: int = 4,
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
         sigma = self.sigmas[timestep]
 
         # 1. compute predicted original sample (x_0) from sigma-scaled predicted noise
@@ -121,7 +122,10 @@ class LMSDiscreteScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
             coeff * derivative for coeff, derivative in zip(lms_coeffs, reversed(self.derivatives))
         )
 
-        return {"prev_sample": prev_sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (prev_sample,)
+
+        return SchedulerOutput(prev_sample=prev_sample)
 
     def add_noise(self, original_samples, noise, timesteps):
         sigmas = self.match_shape(self.sigmas[timesteps], noise)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_pndm.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_pndm.py
index 57ed4fb7..a8778fed 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_pndm.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_pndm.py
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@
 # DISCLAIMER: This file is strongly influenced by https://github.com/ermongroup/ddim
 
 import math
-from typing import Union
+from typing import Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
-from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin
+from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin, SchedulerOutput
 
 
 def betas_for_alpha_bar(num_diffusion_timesteps, max_beta=0.999):
@@ -133,18 +133,21 @@ class PNDMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         model_output: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         timestep: int,
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
+
         if self.counter < len(self.prk_timesteps) and not self.config.skip_prk_steps:
-            return self.step_prk(model_output=model_output, timestep=timestep, sample=sample)
+            return self.step_prk(model_output=model_output, timestep=timestep, sample=sample, return_dict=return_dict)
         else:
-            return self.step_plms(model_output=model_output, timestep=timestep, sample=sample)
+            return self.step_plms(model_output=model_output, timestep=timestep, sample=sample, return_dict=return_dict)
 
     def step_prk(
         self,
         model_output: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         timestep: int,
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
         """
         Step function propagating the sample with the Runge-Kutta method. RK takes 4 forward passes to approximate the
         solution to the differential equation.
@@ -176,14 +179,18 @@ class PNDMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         prev_sample = self._get_prev_sample(cur_sample, timestep, prev_timestep, model_output)
         self.counter += 1
 
-        return {"prev_sample": prev_sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (prev_sample,)
+
+        return SchedulerOutput(prev_sample=prev_sample)
 
     def step_plms(
         self,
         model_output: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         timestep: int,
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
-    ):
+        return_dict: bool = True,
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
         """
         Step function propagating the sample with the linear multi-step method. This has one forward pass with multiple
         times to approximate the solution.
@@ -226,7 +233,10 @@ class PNDMScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         prev_sample = self._get_prev_sample(sample, timestep, prev_timestep, model_output)
         self.counter += 1
 
-        return {"prev_sample": prev_sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (prev_sample,)
+
+        return SchedulerOutput(prev_sample=prev_sample)
 
     def _get_prev_sample(self, sample, timestep, timestep_prev, model_output):
         # See formula (9) of PNDM paper https://arxiv.org/pdf/2202.09778.pdf
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_sde_ve.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_sde_ve.py
index e3fec035..f6b0ba93 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_sde_ve.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_sde_ve.py
@@ -15,13 +15,32 @@
 # DISCLAIMER: This file is strongly influenced by https://github.com/yang-song/score_sde_pytorch
 
 import warnings
-from typing import Optional, Union
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
 
 from ..configuration_utils import ConfigMixin, register_to_config
-from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin
+from ..utils import BaseOutput
+from .scheduling_utils import SchedulerMixin, SchedulerOutput
+
+
+@dataclass
+class SdeVeOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Output class for the ScoreSdeVeScheduler's step function output.
+
+    Args:
+        prev_sample (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)` for images):
+            Computed sample (x_{t-1}) of previous timestep. `prev_sample` should be used as next model input in the
+            denoising loop.
+        prev_sample_mean (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)` for images):
+            Mean averaged `prev_sample`. Same as `prev_sample`, only mean-averaged over previous timesteps.
+    """
+
+    prev_sample: torch.FloatTensor
+    prev_sample_mean: torch.FloatTensor
 
 
 class ScoreSdeVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
@@ -117,8 +136,9 @@ class ScoreSdeVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         timestep: int,
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[SdeVeOutput, Tuple]:
         """
         Predict the sample at the previous timestep by reversing the SDE.
         """
@@ -150,15 +170,19 @@ class ScoreSdeVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         # TODO is the variable diffusion the correct scaling term for the noise?
         prev_sample = prev_sample_mean + diffusion[:, None, None, None] * noise  # add impact of diffusion field g
 
-        return {"prev_sample": prev_sample, "prev_sample_mean": prev_sample_mean}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (prev_sample, prev_sample_mean)
+
+        return SdeVeOutput(prev_sample=prev_sample, prev_sample_mean=prev_sample_mean)
 
     def step_correct(
         self,
         model_output: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         sample: Union[torch.FloatTensor, np.ndarray],
         generator: Optional[torch.Generator] = None,
+        return_dict: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
-    ):
+    ) -> Union[SchedulerOutput, Tuple]:
         """
         Correct the predicted sample based on the output model_output of the network. This is often run repeatedly
         after making the prediction for the previous timestep.
@@ -186,7 +210,10 @@ class ScoreSdeVeScheduler(SchedulerMixin, ConfigMixin):
         prev_sample_mean = sample + step_size[:, None, None, None] * model_output
         prev_sample = prev_sample_mean + ((step_size * 2) ** 0.5)[:, None, None, None] * noise
 
-        return {"prev_sample": prev_sample}
+        if not return_dict:
+            return (prev_sample,)
+
+        return SchedulerOutput(prev_sample=prev_sample)
 
     def __len__(self):
         return self.config.num_train_timesteps
diff --git a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_utils.py b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_utils.py
index b0cd4bda..7d176e63 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_utils.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/schedulers/scheduling_utils.py
@@ -11,15 +11,32 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Union
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
 
+from ..utils import BaseOutput
+
 
 SCHEDULER_CONFIG_NAME = "scheduler_config.json"
 
 
+@dataclass
+class SchedulerOutput(BaseOutput):
+    """
+    Base class for the scheduler's step function output.
+
+    Args:
+        prev_sample (`torch.FloatTensor` of shape `(batch_size, num_channels, height, width)` for images):
+            Computed sample (x_{t-1}) of previous timestep. `prev_sample` should be used as next model input in the
+            denoising loop.
+    """
+
+    prev_sample: torch.FloatTensor
+
+
 class SchedulerMixin:
 
     config_name = SCHEDULER_CONFIG_NAME
diff --git a/src/diffusers/utils/__init__.py b/src/diffusers/utils/__init__.py
index d4e31b84..f9172e8d 100644
--- a/src/diffusers/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/src/diffusers/utils/__init__.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from .import_utils import (
     requires_backends,
 )
 from .logging import get_logger
+from .outputs import BaseOutput
 
 
 logger = get_logger(__name__)
diff --git a/src/diffusers/utils/outputs.py b/src/diffusers/utils/outputs.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d8e695db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/diffusers/utils/outputs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+# Copyright 2022 The HuggingFace Team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+"""
+Generic utilities
+"""
+
+import warnings
+from collections import OrderedDict
+from dataclasses import fields
+from typing import Any, Tuple
+
+import numpy as np
+
+from .import_utils import is_torch_available
+
+
+def is_tensor(x):
+    """
+    Tests if `x` is a `torch.Tensor` or `np.ndarray`.
+    """
+    if is_torch_available():
+        import torch
+
+        if isinstance(x, torch.Tensor):
+            return True
+
+    return isinstance(x, np.ndarray)
+
+
+class BaseOutput(OrderedDict):
+    """
+    Base class for all model outputs as dataclass. Has a `__getitem__` that allows indexing by integer or slice (like a
+    tuple) or strings (like a dictionary) that will ignore the `None` attributes. Otherwise behaves like a regular
+    python dictionary.
+
+    <Tip warning={true}>
+
+    You can't unpack a `BaseOutput` directly. Use the [`~utils.BaseOutput.to_tuple`] method to convert it to a tuple
+    before.
+
+    </Tip>
+    """
+
+    def __post_init__(self):
+        class_fields = fields(self)
+
+        # Safety and consistency checks
+        if not len(class_fields):
+            raise ValueError(f"{self.__class__.__name__} has no fields.")
+
+        first_field = getattr(self, class_fields[0].name)
+        other_fields_are_none = all(getattr(self, field.name) is None for field in class_fields[1:])
+
+        if other_fields_are_none and not is_tensor(first_field):
+            if isinstance(first_field, dict):
+                iterator = first_field.items()
+                first_field_iterator = True
+            else:
+                try:
+                    iterator = iter(first_field)
+                    first_field_iterator = True
+                except TypeError:
+                    first_field_iterator = False
+
+            # if we provided an iterator as first field and the iterator is a (key, value) iterator
+            # set the associated fields
+            if first_field_iterator:
+                for element in iterator:
+                    if (
+                        not isinstance(element, (list, tuple))
+                        or not len(element) == 2
+                        or not isinstance(element[0], str)
+                    ):
+                        break
+                    setattr(self, element[0], element[1])
+                    if element[1] is not None:
+                        self[element[0]] = element[1]
+            elif first_field is not None:
+                self[class_fields[0].name] = first_field
+        else:
+            for field in class_fields:
+                v = getattr(self, field.name)
+                if v is not None:
+                    self[field.name] = v
+
+    def __delitem__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        raise Exception(f"You cannot use ``__delitem__`` on a {self.__class__.__name__} instance.")
+
+    def setdefault(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        raise Exception(f"You cannot use ``setdefault`` on a {self.__class__.__name__} instance.")
+
+    def pop(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        raise Exception(f"You cannot use ``pop`` on a {self.__class__.__name__} instance.")
+
+    def update(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        raise Exception(f"You cannot use ``update`` on a {self.__class__.__name__} instance.")
+
+    def __getitem__(self, k):
+        if isinstance(k, str):
+            inner_dict = {k: v for (k, v) in self.items()}
+            if self.__class__.__name__ in ["StableDiffusionPipelineOutput", "ImagePipelineOutput"] and k == "sample":
+                warnings.warn(
+                    "The keyword 'samples' is deprecated and will be removed in version 0.4.0. Please use `.images` or"
+                    " `'images'` instead.",
+                    DeprecationWarning,
+                )
+                return inner_dict["images"]
+            return inner_dict[k]
+        else:
+            return self.to_tuple()[k]
+
+    def __setattr__(self, name, value):
+        if name in self.keys() and value is not None:
+            # Don't call self.__setitem__ to avoid recursion errors
+            super().__setitem__(name, value)
+        super().__setattr__(name, value)
+
+    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
+        # Will raise a KeyException if needed
+        super().__setitem__(key, value)
+        # Don't call self.__setattr__ to avoid recursion errors
+        super().__setattr__(key, value)
+
+    def to_tuple(self) -> Tuple[Any]:
+        """
+        Convert self to a tuple containing all the attributes/keys that are not `None`.
+        """
+        return tuple(self[k] for k in self.keys())
diff --git a/tests/test_modeling_common.py b/tests/test_modeling_common.py
index e1923805..8c7c6312 100644
--- a/tests/test_modeling_common.py
+++ b/tests/test_modeling_common.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 
 import inspect
 import tempfile
+from typing import Dict, List, Tuple
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
@@ -39,12 +40,12 @@ class ModelTesterMixin:
         with torch.no_grad():
             image = model(**inputs_dict)
             if isinstance(image, dict):
-                image = image["sample"]
+                image = image.sample
 
             new_image = new_model(**inputs_dict)
 
             if isinstance(new_image, dict):
-                new_image = new_image["sample"]
+                new_image = new_image.sample
 
         max_diff = (image - new_image).abs().sum().item()
         self.assertLessEqual(max_diff, 5e-5, "Models give different forward passes")
@@ -57,11 +58,11 @@ class ModelTesterMixin:
         with torch.no_grad():
             first = model(**inputs_dict)
             if isinstance(first, dict):
-                first = first["sample"]
+                first = first.sample
 
             second = model(**inputs_dict)
             if isinstance(second, dict):
-                second = second["sample"]
+                second = second.sample
 
         out_1 = first.cpu().numpy()
         out_2 = second.cpu().numpy()
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ class ModelTesterMixin:
             output = model(**inputs_dict)
 
             if isinstance(output, dict):
-                output = output["sample"]
+                output = output.sample
 
         self.assertIsNotNone(output)
         expected_shape = inputs_dict["sample"].shape
@@ -122,12 +123,12 @@ class ModelTesterMixin:
             output_1 = model(**inputs_dict)
 
             if isinstance(output_1, dict):
-                output_1 = output_1["sample"]
+                output_1 = output_1.sample
 
             output_2 = new_model(**inputs_dict)
 
             if isinstance(output_2, dict):
-                output_2 = output_2["sample"]
+                output_2 = output_2.sample
 
         self.assertEqual(output_1.shape, output_2.shape)
 
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ class ModelTesterMixin:
         output = model(**inputs_dict)
 
         if isinstance(output, dict):
-            output = output["sample"]
+            output = output.sample
 
         noise = torch.randn((inputs_dict["sample"].shape[0],) + self.output_shape).to(torch_device)
         loss = torch.nn.functional.mse_loss(output, noise)
@@ -157,9 +158,47 @@ class ModelTesterMixin:
         output = model(**inputs_dict)
 
         if isinstance(output, dict):
-            output = output["sample"]
+            output = output.sample
 
         noise = torch.randn((inputs_dict["sample"].shape[0],) + self.output_shape).to(torch_device)
         loss = torch.nn.functional.mse_loss(output, noise)
         loss.backward()
         ema_model.step(model)
+
+    def test_scheduler_outputs_equivalence(self):
+        def set_nan_tensor_to_zero(t):
+            t[t != t] = 0
+            return t
+
+        def recursive_check(tuple_object, dict_object):
+            if isinstance(tuple_object, (List, Tuple)):
+                for tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value in zip(tuple_object, dict_object.values()):
+                    recursive_check(tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value)
+            elif isinstance(tuple_object, Dict):
+                for tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value in zip(tuple_object.values(), dict_object.values()):
+                    recursive_check(tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value)
+            elif tuple_object is None:
+                return
+            else:
+                self.assertTrue(
+                    torch.allclose(
+                        set_nan_tensor_to_zero(tuple_object), set_nan_tensor_to_zero(dict_object), atol=1e-5
+                    ),
+                    msg=(
+                        "Tuple and dict output are not equal. Difference:"
+                        f" {torch.max(torch.abs(tuple_object - dict_object))}. Tuple has `nan`:"
+                        f" {torch.isnan(tuple_object).any()} and `inf`: {torch.isinf(tuple_object)}. Dict has"
+                        f" `nan`: {torch.isnan(dict_object).any()} and `inf`: {torch.isinf(dict_object)}."
+                    ),
+                )
+
+        init_dict, inputs_dict = self.prepare_init_args_and_inputs_for_common()
+
+        model = self.model_class(**init_dict)
+        model.to(torch_device)
+        model.eval()
+
+        outputs_dict = model(**inputs_dict)
+        outputs_tuple = model(**inputs_dict, return_dict=False)
+
+        recursive_check(outputs_tuple, outputs_dict)
diff --git a/tests/test_models_unet.py b/tests/test_models_unet.py
index 47f562dd..c574a009 100644
--- a/tests/test_models_unet.py
+++ b/tests/test_models_unet.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class UnetModelTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
 #        time_step = torch.tensor([10])
 #
 #        with torch.no_grad():
-#            output = model(noise, time_step)["sample"]
+#            output = model(noise, time_step).sample
 #
 #        output_slice = output[0, -1, -3:, -3:].flatten()
 # fmt: off
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ class UNetLDMModelTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(len(loading_info["missing_keys"]), 0)
 
         model.to(torch_device)
-        image = model(**self.dummy_input)["sample"]
+        image = model(**self.dummy_input).sample
 
         assert image is not None, "Make sure output is not None"
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class UNetLDMModelTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
         time_step = torch.tensor([10] * noise.shape[0]).to(torch_device)
 
         with torch.no_grad():
-            output = model(noise, time_step)["sample"]
+            output = model(noise, time_step).sample
 
         output_slice = output[0, -1, -3:, -3:].flatten().cpu()
         # fmt: off
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ class NCSNppModelTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
         time_step = torch.tensor(batch_size * [1e-4]).to(torch_device)
 
         with torch.no_grad():
-            output = model(noise, time_step)["sample"]
+            output = model(noise, time_step).sample
 
         output_slice = output[0, -3:, -3:, -1].flatten().cpu()
         # fmt: off
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ class NCSNppModelTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
         time_step = torch.tensor(batch_size * [1e-4]).to(torch_device)
 
         with torch.no_grad():
-            output = model(noise, time_step)["sample"]
+            output = model(noise, time_step).sample
 
         output_slice = output[0, -3:, -3:, -1].flatten().cpu()
         # fmt: off
diff --git a/tests/test_models_vae.py b/tests/test_models_vae.py
index 7df6b42b..adf9767d 100644
--- a/tests/test_models_vae.py
+++ b/tests/test_models_vae.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class AutoencoderKLTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
         image = torch.randn(1, model.config.in_channels, model.config.sample_size, model.config.sample_size)
         image = image.to(torch_device)
         with torch.no_grad():
-            output = model(image, sample_posterior=True)
+            output = model(image, sample_posterior=True).sample
 
         output_slice = output[0, -1, -3:, -3:].flatten().cpu()
         # fmt: off
diff --git a/tests/test_models_vq.py b/tests/test_models_vq.py
index 4040bad9..c0accecc 100644
--- a/tests/test_models_vq.py
+++ b/tests/test_models_vq.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class VQModelTests(ModelTesterMixin, unittest.TestCase):
         image = torch.randn(1, model.config.in_channels, model.config.sample_size, model.config.sample_size)
         image = image.to(torch_device)
         with torch.no_grad():
-            output = model(image)
+            output = model(image).sample
 
         output_slice = output[0, -1, -3:, -3:].flatten().cpu()
         # fmt: off
diff --git a/tests/test_pipelines.py b/tests/test_pipelines.py
index 257517a1..fbd0faf0 100644
--- a/tests/test_pipelines.py
+++ b/tests/test_pipelines.py
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@ def test_progress_bar(capsys):
     scheduler = DDPMScheduler(num_train_timesteps=10)
 
     ddpm = DDPMPipeline(model, scheduler).to(torch_device)
-    ddpm(output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+    ddpm(output_type="numpy").images
     captured = capsys.readouterr()
     assert "10/10" in captured.err, "Progress bar has to be displayed"
 
     ddpm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=True)
-    ddpm(output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+    ddpm(output_type="numpy").images
     captured = capsys.readouterr()
     assert captured.err == "", "Progress bar should be disabled"
 
@@ -196,15 +196,20 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         ddpm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ddpm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddpm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy").images
+
+        generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = ddpm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy", return_dict=False)[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array(
             [1.000e00, 5.717e-01, 4.717e-01, 1.000e00, 0.000e00, 1.000e00, 3.000e-04, 0.000e00, 9.000e-04]
         )
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_pndm_cifar10(self):
         unet = self.dummy_uncond_unet
@@ -213,14 +218,20 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         pndm = PNDMPipeline(unet=unet, scheduler=scheduler)
         pndm.to(torch_device)
         pndm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
+
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = pndm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=20, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = pndm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=20, output_type="numpy").images
+
+        generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = pndm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=20, output_type="numpy", return_dict=False)[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([1.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_ldm_text2img(self):
         unet = self.dummy_cond_unet
@@ -239,11 +250,23 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
             "sample"
         ]
 
+        generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = ldm(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="numpy",
+            return_dict=False,
+        )[0]
+
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 64, 64, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.5074, 0.5026, 0.4998, 0.4056, 0.3523, 0.4649, 0.5289, 0.5299, 0.4897])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_stable_diffusion_ddim(self):
         device = "cpu"  # ensure determinism for the device-dependent torch.Generator
@@ -274,16 +297,28 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         sd_pipe.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         prompt = "A painting of a squirrel eating a burger"
+
         generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
         output = sd_pipe([prompt], generator=generator, guidance_scale=6.0, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="np")
+        image = output.images
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = sd_pipe(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="np",
+            return_dict=False,
+        )[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 128, 128, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.5112, 0.4692, 0.4715, 0.5206, 0.4894, 0.5114, 0.5096, 0.4932, 0.4755])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_stable_diffusion_pndm(self):
         device = "cpu"  # ensure determinism for the device-dependent torch.Generator
@@ -310,13 +345,25 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
         output = sd_pipe([prompt], generator=generator, guidance_scale=6.0, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="np")
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        image = output.images
+
+        generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = sd_pipe(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="np",
+            return_dict=False,
+        )[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 128, 128, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.4937, 0.4649, 0.4716, 0.5145, 0.4889, 0.513, 0.513, 0.4905, 0.4738])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_stable_diffusion_k_lms(self):
         device = "cpu"  # ensure determinism for the device-dependent torch.Generator
@@ -343,13 +390,25 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
         output = sd_pipe([prompt], generator=generator, guidance_scale=6.0, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="np")
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        image = output.images
+
+        generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = sd_pipe(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="np",
+            return_dict=False,
+        )[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 128, 128, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.5067, 0.4689, 0.4614, 0.5233, 0.4903, 0.5112, 0.524, 0.5069, 0.4785])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_score_sde_ve_pipeline(self):
         unet = self.dummy_uncond_unet
@@ -360,14 +419,19 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         sde_ve.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = sde_ve(num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = sde_ve(num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy").images
+
+        torch.manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = sde_ve(num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy", return_dict=False)[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
 
         expected_slice = np.array([0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_ldm_uncond(self):
         unet = self.dummy_uncond_unet
@@ -379,13 +443,18 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         ldm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ldm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ldm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy").images
+
+        generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = ldm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy", return_dict=False)[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 64, 64, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.8512, 0.818, 0.6411, 0.6808, 0.4465, 0.5618, 0.46, 0.6231, 0.5172])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_karras_ve_pipeline(self):
         unet = self.dummy_uncond_unet
@@ -396,12 +465,18 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
         pipe.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = pipe(num_inference_steps=2, generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = pipe(num_inference_steps=2, generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
+
+        generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = pipe(num_inference_steps=2, generator=generator, output_type="numpy", return_dict=False)[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_stable_diffusion_img2img(self):
         device = "cpu"  # ensure determinism for the device-dependent torch.Generator
@@ -437,13 +512,26 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
             init_image=init_image,
         )
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        image = output.images
+
+        generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = sd_pipe(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="np",
+            init_image=init_image,
+            return_dict=False,
+        )[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.4492, 0.3865, 0.4222, 0.5854, 0.5139, 0.4379, 0.4193, 0.48, 0.4218])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_stable_diffusion_img2img_k_lms(self):
         device = "cpu"  # ensure determinism for the device-dependent torch.Generator
@@ -479,14 +567,27 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
             output_type="np",
             init_image=init_image,
         )
+        image = output.images
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
+        output = sd_pipe(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="np",
+            init_image=init_image,
+            return_dict=False,
+        )
+        image_from_tuple = output[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.4367, 0.4986, 0.4372, 0.6706, 0.5665, 0.444, 0.5864, 0.6019, 0.5203])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
     def test_stable_diffusion_inpaint(self):
         device = "cpu"  # ensure determinism for the device-dependent torch.Generator
@@ -525,13 +626,27 @@ class PipelineFastTests(unittest.TestCase):
             mask_image=mask_image,
         )
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        image = output.images
+
+        generator = torch.Generator(device=device).manual_seed(0)
+        image_from_tuple = sd_pipe(
+            [prompt],
+            generator=generator,
+            guidance_scale=6.0,
+            num_inference_steps=2,
+            output_type="np",
+            init_image=init_image,
+            mask_image=mask_image,
+            return_dict=False,
+        )[0]
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
+        image_from_tuple_slice = image_from_tuple[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
         assert image.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         expected_slice = np.array([0.4731, 0.5346, 0.4531, 0.6251, 0.5446, 0.4057, 0.5527, 0.5896, 0.5153])
         assert np.abs(image_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
+        assert np.abs(image_from_tuple_slice.flatten() - expected_slice).max() < 1e-2
 
 
 class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -565,9 +680,9 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
 
-        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
         generator = generator.manual_seed(0)
-        new_image = new_ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        new_image = new_ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         assert np.abs(image - new_image).sum() < 1e-5, "Models don't give the same forward pass"
 
@@ -586,9 +701,9 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
 
-        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
         generator = generator.manual_seed(0)
-        new_image = ddpm_from_hub(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        new_image = ddpm_from_hub(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         assert np.abs(image - new_image).sum() < 1e-5, "Models don't give the same forward pass"
 
@@ -610,9 +725,9 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
 
-        image = ddpm_from_hub_custom_model(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddpm_from_hub_custom_model(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
         generator = generator.manual_seed(0)
-        new_image = ddpm_from_hub(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        new_image = ddpm_from_hub(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         assert np.abs(image - new_image).sum() < 1e-5, "Models don't give the same forward pass"
 
@@ -625,17 +740,17 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         pipe.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        images = pipe(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        images = pipe(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
         assert images.shape == (1, 32, 32, 3)
         assert isinstance(images, np.ndarray)
 
-        images = pipe(generator=generator, output_type="pil")["sample"]
+        images = pipe(generator=generator, output_type="pil").images
         assert isinstance(images, list)
         assert len(images) == 1
         assert isinstance(images[0], PIL.Image.Image)
 
         # use PIL by default
-        images = pipe(generator=generator)["sample"]
+        images = pipe(generator=generator).images
         assert isinstance(images, list)
         assert isinstance(images[0], PIL.Image.Image)
 
@@ -652,7 +767,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         ddpm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -672,7 +787,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         ddpm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -692,7 +807,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         ddim.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ddim(generator=generator, eta=0.0, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ddim(generator=generator, eta=0.0, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -711,7 +826,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         pndm.to(torch_device)
         pndm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = pndm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = pndm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -745,7 +860,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
 
         prompt = "A painting of a squirrel eating a burger"
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ldm(prompt, generator=generator, num_inference_steps=1, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ldm(prompt, generator=generator, num_inference_steps=1, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -768,7 +883,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
                 [prompt], generator=generator, guidance_scale=6.0, num_inference_steps=20, output_type="np"
             )
 
-        image = output["sample"]
+        image = output.images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -797,7 +912,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
 
         with torch.autocast("cuda"):
             output = sd_pipe([prompt], generator=generator, num_inference_steps=2, output_type="numpy")
-        image = output["sample"]
+        image = output.images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -817,7 +932,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         sde_ve.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = sde_ve(num_inference_steps=300, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = sde_ve(num_inference_steps=300, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -833,7 +948,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         ldm.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = ldm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=5, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = ldm(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=5, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
 
@@ -857,10 +972,10 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         ddim.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        ddpm_image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        ddpm_image = ddpm(generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        ddim_image = ddim(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=1000, eta=1.0, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        ddim_image = ddim(generator=generator, num_inference_steps=1000, eta=1.0, output_type="numpy").images
 
         # the values aren't exactly equal, but the images look the same visually
         assert np.abs(ddpm_image - ddim_image).max() < 1e-1
@@ -882,7 +997,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         ddim.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        ddpm_images = ddpm(batch_size=4, generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        ddpm_images = ddpm(batch_size=4, generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
         ddim_images = ddim(batch_size=4, generator=generator, num_inference_steps=1000, eta=1.0, output_type="numpy")[
@@ -903,7 +1018,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         pipe.set_progress_bar_config(disable=None)
 
         generator = torch.manual_seed(0)
-        image = pipe(num_inference_steps=20, generator=generator, output_type="numpy")["sample"]
+        image = pipe(num_inference_steps=20, generator=generator, output_type="numpy").images
 
         image_slice = image[0, -3:, -3:, -1]
         assert image.shape == (1, 256, 256, 3)
@@ -974,9 +1089,8 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
         prompt = "A fantasy landscape, trending on artstation"
 
         generator = torch.Generator(device=torch_device).manual_seed(0)
-        image = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, strength=0.75, guidance_scale=7.5, generator=generator)[
-            "sample"
-        ][0]
+        output = pipe(prompt=prompt, init_image=init_image, strength=0.75, guidance_scale=7.5, generator=generator)
+        image = output.images[0]
 
         expected_array = np.array(output_image)
         sampled_array = np.array(image)
@@ -1008,7 +1122,7 @@ class PipelineTesterMixin(unittest.TestCase):
             strength=0.75,
             guidance_scale=7.5,
             generator=generator,
-        )["sample"][0]
+        ).images[0]
 
         expected_array = np.array(output_image)
         sampled_array = np.array(image)
diff --git a/tests/test_scheduler.py b/tests/test_scheduler.py
index 0ce6715f..3c2e786f 100755
--- a/tests/test_scheduler.py
+++ b/tests/test_scheduler.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 import tempfile
 import unittest
+from typing import Dict, List, Tuple
 
 import numpy as np
 import torch
@@ -85,8 +86,8 @@ class SchedulerCommonTest(unittest.TestCase):
             elif num_inference_steps is not None and not hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
                 kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
 
-            output = scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
@@ -114,9 +115,9 @@ class SchedulerCommonTest(unittest.TestCase):
                 kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
 
             torch.manual_seed(0)
-            output = scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
             torch.manual_seed(0)
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
@@ -143,9 +144,9 @@ class SchedulerCommonTest(unittest.TestCase):
                 kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
 
             torch.manual_seed(0)
-            output = scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
             torch.manual_seed(0)
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
@@ -166,8 +167,8 @@ class SchedulerCommonTest(unittest.TestCase):
             elif num_inference_steps is not None and not hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
                 kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
 
-            output_0 = scheduler.step(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_1 = scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output_0 = scheduler.step(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_1 = scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, sample.shape)
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, output_1.shape)
@@ -195,11 +196,64 @@ class SchedulerCommonTest(unittest.TestCase):
             elif num_inference_steps is not None and not hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
                 kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
 
-            output = scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_pt = scheduler_pt.step(residual_pt, 1, sample_pt, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_pt = scheduler_pt.step(residual_pt, 1, sample_pt, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert np.sum(np.abs(output - output_pt.numpy())) < 1e-4, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
+    def test_scheduler_outputs_equivalence(self):
+        def set_nan_tensor_to_zero(t):
+            t[t != t] = 0
+            return t
+
+        def recursive_check(tuple_object, dict_object):
+            if isinstance(tuple_object, (List, Tuple)):
+                for tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value in zip(tuple_object, dict_object.values()):
+                    recursive_check(tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value)
+            elif isinstance(tuple_object, Dict):
+                for tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value in zip(tuple_object.values(), dict_object.values()):
+                    recursive_check(tuple_iterable_value, dict_iterable_value)
+            elif tuple_object is None:
+                return
+            else:
+                self.assertTrue(
+                    torch.allclose(
+                        set_nan_tensor_to_zero(tuple_object), set_nan_tensor_to_zero(dict_object), atol=1e-5
+                    ),
+                    msg=(
+                        "Tuple and dict output are not equal. Difference:"
+                        f" {torch.max(torch.abs(tuple_object - dict_object))}. Tuple has `nan`:"
+                        f" {torch.isnan(tuple_object).any()} and `inf`: {torch.isinf(tuple_object)}. Dict has"
+                        f" `nan`: {torch.isnan(dict_object).any()} and `inf`: {torch.isinf(dict_object)}."
+                    ),
+                )
+
+        kwargs = dict(self.forward_default_kwargs)
+        num_inference_steps = kwargs.pop("num_inference_steps", None)
+
+        for scheduler_class in self.scheduler_classes:
+            scheduler_config = self.get_scheduler_config()
+            scheduler = scheduler_class(**scheduler_config)
+
+            sample = self.dummy_sample
+            residual = 0.1 * sample
+
+            if num_inference_steps is not None and hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
+                scheduler.set_timesteps(num_inference_steps)
+            elif num_inference_steps is not None and not hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
+                kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
+
+            outputs_dict = scheduler.step(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs)
+
+            if num_inference_steps is not None and hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
+                scheduler.set_timesteps(num_inference_steps)
+            elif num_inference_steps is not None and not hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
+                kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
+
+            outputs_tuple = scheduler.step(residual, 0, sample, return_dict=False, **kwargs)
+
+            recursive_check(outputs_tuple, outputs_dict)
+
 
 class DDPMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
     scheduler_classes = (DDPMScheduler,)
@@ -270,7 +324,7 @@ class DDPMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
             residual = model(sample, t)
 
             # 2. predict previous mean of sample x_t-1
-            pred_prev_sample = scheduler.step(residual, t, sample)["prev_sample"]
+            pred_prev_sample = scheduler.step(residual, t, sample).prev_sample
 
             # if t > 0:
             #     noise = self.dummy_sample_deter
@@ -356,7 +410,7 @@ class DDIMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
         for t in scheduler.timesteps:
             residual = model(sample, t)
 
-            sample = scheduler.step(residual, t, sample, eta)["prev_sample"]
+            sample = scheduler.step(residual, t, sample, eta).prev_sample
 
         result_sum = torch.sum(torch.abs(sample))
         result_mean = torch.mean(torch.abs(sample))
@@ -401,13 +455,13 @@ class PNDMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
                 # copy over dummy past residuals
                 new_scheduler.ets = dummy_past_residuals[:]
 
-            output = scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
-            output = scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
@@ -438,13 +492,13 @@ class PNDMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
                 # copy over dummy past residual (must be after setting timesteps)
                 new_scheduler.ets = dummy_past_residuals[:]
 
-            output = scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_prk(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
-            output = scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_plms(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
@@ -476,12 +530,12 @@ class PNDMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
             scheduler.ets = dummy_past_residuals[:]
             scheduler_pt.ets = dummy_past_residuals_pt[:]
 
-            output = scheduler.step_prk(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_pt = scheduler_pt.step_prk(residual_pt, 1, sample_pt, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_prk(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_pt = scheduler_pt.step_prk(residual_pt, 1, sample_pt, **kwargs).prev_sample
             assert np.sum(np.abs(output - output_pt.numpy())) < 1e-4, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
-            output = scheduler.step_plms(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_pt = scheduler_pt.step_plms(residual_pt, 1, sample_pt, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_plms(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_pt = scheduler_pt.step_plms(residual_pt, 1, sample_pt, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert np.sum(np.abs(output - output_pt.numpy())) < 1e-4, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
@@ -535,14 +589,14 @@ class PNDMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
             dummy_past_residuals = [residual + 0.2, residual + 0.15, residual + 0.1, residual + 0.05]
             scheduler.ets = dummy_past_residuals[:]
 
-            output_0 = scheduler.step_prk(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_1 = scheduler.step_prk(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output_0 = scheduler.step_prk(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_1 = scheduler.step_prk(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, sample.shape)
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, output_1.shape)
 
-            output_0 = scheduler.step_plms(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_1 = scheduler.step_plms(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output_0 = scheduler.step_plms(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_1 = scheduler.step_plms(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, sample.shape)
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, output_1.shape)
@@ -573,7 +627,7 @@ class PNDMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
             scheduler_config = self.get_scheduler_config()
             scheduler = scheduler_class(**scheduler_config)
 
-            scheduler.step_plms(self.dummy_sample, 1, self.dummy_sample)["prev_sample"]
+            scheduler.step_plms(self.dummy_sample, 1, self.dummy_sample).prev_sample
 
     def test_full_loop_no_noise(self):
         scheduler_class = self.scheduler_classes[0]
@@ -587,11 +641,11 @@ class PNDMSchedulerTest(SchedulerCommonTest):
 
         for i, t in enumerate(scheduler.prk_timesteps):
             residual = model(sample, t)
-            sample = scheduler.step_prk(residual, i, sample)["prev_sample"]
+            sample = scheduler.step_prk(residual, i, sample).prev_sample
 
         for i, t in enumerate(scheduler.plms_timesteps):
             residual = model(sample, t)
-            sample = scheduler.step_plms(residual, i, sample)["prev_sample"]
+            sample = scheduler.step_plms(residual, i, sample).prev_sample
 
         result_sum = torch.sum(torch.abs(sample))
         result_mean = torch.mean(torch.abs(sample))
@@ -664,13 +718,13 @@ class ScoreSdeVeSchedulerTest(unittest.TestCase):
                 scheduler.save_config(tmpdirname)
                 new_scheduler = scheduler_class.from_config(tmpdirname)
 
-            output = scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
-            output = scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler correction are not identical"
 
@@ -689,13 +743,13 @@ class ScoreSdeVeSchedulerTest(unittest.TestCase):
                 scheduler.save_config(tmpdirname)
                 new_scheduler = scheduler_class.from_config(tmpdirname)
 
-            output = scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_pred(residual, time_step, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler outputs are not identical"
 
-            output = scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            new_output = new_scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output = scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            new_output = new_scheduler.step_correct(residual, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             assert torch.sum(torch.abs(output - new_output)) < 1e-5, "Scheduler correction are not identical"
 
@@ -732,13 +786,13 @@ class ScoreSdeVeSchedulerTest(unittest.TestCase):
             for _ in range(scheduler.correct_steps):
                 with torch.no_grad():
                     model_output = model(sample, sigma_t)
-                sample = scheduler.step_correct(model_output, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+                sample = scheduler.step_correct(model_output, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             with torch.no_grad():
                 model_output = model(sample, sigma_t)
 
             output = scheduler.step_pred(model_output, t, sample, **kwargs)
-            sample, _ = output["prev_sample"], output["prev_sample_mean"]
+            sample, _ = output.prev_sample, output.prev_sample_mean
 
         result_sum = torch.sum(torch.abs(sample))
         result_mean = torch.mean(torch.abs(sample))
@@ -763,8 +817,8 @@ class ScoreSdeVeSchedulerTest(unittest.TestCase):
             elif num_inference_steps is not None and not hasattr(scheduler, "set_timesteps"):
                 kwargs["num_inference_steps"] = num_inference_steps
 
-            output_0 = scheduler.step_pred(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
-            output_1 = scheduler.step_pred(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs)["prev_sample"]
+            output_0 = scheduler.step_pred(residual, 0, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
+            output_1 = scheduler.step_pred(residual, 1, sample, **kwargs).prev_sample
 
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, sample.shape)
             self.assertEqual(output_0.shape, output_1.shape)
diff --git a/tests/test_training.py b/tests/test_training.py
index a9d330ef..27caf033 100644
--- a/tests/test_training.py
+++ b/tests/test_training.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class TrainingTests(unittest.TestCase):
         for i in range(4):
             optimizer.zero_grad()
             ddpm_noisy_images = ddpm_scheduler.add_noise(clean_images[i], noise[i], timesteps[i])
-            ddpm_noise_pred = model(ddpm_noisy_images, timesteps[i])["sample"]
+            ddpm_noise_pred = model(ddpm_noisy_images, timesteps[i]).sample
             loss = torch.nn.functional.mse_loss(ddpm_noise_pred, noise[i])
             loss.backward()
             optimizer.step()
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class TrainingTests(unittest.TestCase):
         for i in range(4):
             optimizer.zero_grad()
             ddim_noisy_images = ddim_scheduler.add_noise(clean_images[i], noise[i], timesteps[i])
-            ddim_noise_pred = model(ddim_noisy_images, timesteps[i])["sample"]
+            ddim_noise_pred = model(ddim_noisy_images, timesteps[i]).sample
             loss = torch.nn.functional.mse_loss(ddim_noise_pred, noise[i])
             loss.backward()
             optimizer.step()