Description
Baked pasta is a cheesy, comforting dish that combines marinara sauce and creamy cheeses with your favorite pasta, perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 2 cups penne or rigatoni
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk recommended)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- 2. Cook the Pasta
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne or rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain without rinsing.
- 3. Prepare the Cheese Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- 4. Layer It Up
- Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of your baking dish. Add half of the cooked pasta on top followed by dollops of the cheese filling mixture. Repeat with another layer of sauce and remaining pasta.
- 5. Top with Cheese
- Finish with the remaining marinara sauce spread over the top and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- 6. Bake It Off
- Bake in preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg