Easy Baked Pasta
Dive into weeknight comfort food with this Easy Baked Pasta recipe, a cheesy, crowd-pleasing dish that's as simple as it is satisfying. Featuring tender penne pasta layered with rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and a blend of gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan, this baked casserole comes together in just 15 minutes of prep. Flavored with fresh basil, garlic powder, and oregano, it delivers a burst of Italian-inspired flavor in every bite. Perfectly golden and bubbling from the oven, this dish is ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests. Pair it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete and irresistible meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until well combined.
In a large, oven-safe skillet or baking dish, drizzle olive oil evenly on the bottom to prevent sticking.
Add half of the cooked, drained pasta to the dish and spread evenly.
Spoon half of the marinara sauce over the pasta and spread it out evenly. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture and spread lightly.
Layer the remaining pasta on top, followed by the rest of the marinara sauce, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
Let the baked pasta rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with extra chopped fresh basil if desired and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
365 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.9 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.0 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 79 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 730 mg | 32% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.1 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g | ||
| Protein | 22.0 g | 44% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 450 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 118 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
