Quick Baked Pasta
Treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food with this Quick Baked Pasta recipe, a hearty, cheesy delight that’s ready in just 35 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and layers of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Infused with fragrant garlic and a hint of Italian seasoning, every bite bursts with classic flavors. This easy-to-follow recipe is a true time-saver, with a quick prep time and a bake-and-forget process, making it ideal for feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week. Top it with fresh basil for a touch of elegance, and serve it alongside a crisp salad or a slice of garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired dinner. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned pro, this baked pasta is a foolproof crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 units garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes to leave the pasta slightly undercooked. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, half of the shredded mozzarella, the ricotta cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the marinara sauce on the bottom. Add the pasta mixture on top, spreading it out evenly.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta and gently spread to cover. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly across the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow the pasta to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
397 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.6 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.4 g | 52% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 55 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 1164 mg | 51% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.3 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.2 g | ||
| Protein | 22.0 g | 44% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 468 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 383 mg | 8% | |
*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.
