Super Easy Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Super Easy Pasta Bake—a quick, family-friendly dinner that balances rich, cheesy layers with zesty marinara flavor. This recipe combines perfectly cooked penne or rotini pasta with a trio of creamy mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheeses for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Enhanced with fragrant garlic, Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of fresh basil, it’s baked to golden, bubbly perfection in just 30 minutes. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, this easy pasta bake is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it as a standalone main dish or pair it with a crisp side salad for a complete, satisfying meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams dry pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce mixture. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
Add half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the parmesan cheese to the pasta mixture. Stir to combine.
Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread an even layer of ricotta cheese on top, then add the remaining pasta mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Cover the baking 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 is melted and bubbly.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
608 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.7 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.0 g | 70% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 64 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 1161 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 64.1 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.8 g | ||
| Protein | 32.1 g | 64% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 572 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 277 mg | 6% | |
*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.
