The Tastiest Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe for Cozy Dinner Nights

Comfort arrives in a steaming casserole dish with this delectable pasta bake that promises pure culinary bliss.

Layers of tender pasta mingle with rich, creamy sauce and savory ingredients.

Cheese bubbles golden across the top, creating an irresistible golden crust that beckons hungry diners.

Every forkful delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Weeknight dinners transform into something extraordinary with this simple yet elegant recipe.

Home cooks will adore how effortlessly this dish comes together with minimal preparation.

Prepare to fall in love with a meal that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s Inside Cheesy Pasta Bake

• Pasta: Delivers hearty foundation, choose medium-sized pasta like penne or rigatoni for best sauce coverage.
• Olive Oil: Adds smooth cooking texture and prevents sticking during preparation.

• Ground Beef: Provides rich meaty flavor, select lean cuts for healthier option.
• Marinara Sauce: Brings classic Italian taste, opt for high-quality jarred or homemade sauce.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds fresh texture and moisture to the meat sauce.
• Onion: Builds foundational savory depth, choose yellow or white varieties.
• Garlic: Enhances overall flavor profile, fresh cloves offer more robust taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs for authentic Mediterranean touch.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces optional spicy kick.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Create creamy, melty layers with complementary tangy and rich notes.
• Fresh Parsley, Fresh Basil: Optional garnish for bright color and herbal freshness.

Items You’ll Need For Cheesy Pasta Bake

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and creating the meat sauce with perfect sear and flavor.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine pasta, cheeses, and sauce, ensuring everything blends smoothly.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for assembling and baking the pasta, providing ample space for layers.
• Foil: Used to cover the dish during initial baking, preventing cheese from burning.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta after cooking, ensuring no excess water remains.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing components evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping onions and garlic with precision.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add seasonings and salt.

Instructions To Make Cheesy Pasta Bake

• Boil Pasta Perfectly

Grab a large pot and get your water bubbling with a pinch of salt. Toss in pasta and cook until tender but firm. Drain and set aside.

• Create Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce

Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown ground beef until it sizzles. Toss in chopped onions and garlic, letting them dance around until soft. Pour in marinara sauce, sprinkle some Italian seasoning, and let everything simmer and meld together.

• Mix and Combine

In a big mixing bowl, blend cooked pasta with creamy ricotta and a generous handful of melty cheeses. Pour in your savory meat sauce and stir until everything looks deliciously combined.

• Bake to Cheesy Perfection

Transfer the mixture into a baking dish. Shower the top with a blizzard of cheese – mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar. Cover with foil and slide into a preheated oven. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and let the cheese turn golden and bubbly for another 10 minutes.

• Serve and Devour

Let the pasta bake rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle some fresh herbs on top and get ready to dive into this comfort food masterpiece. Enjoy every gooey, flavorful bite!

Cheesy Pasta Bake Tweaks And Tricks

• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, fontina, or goat cheese to create unique flavor profiles.
• Veggie Boost: Add roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add extra texture to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Protein Alternatives: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of the pasta bake.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time.

Serving Suggestions For Cheesy Pasta Bake

• Rustic Dinner Party Delight: Serve this cheesy pasta bake as a centerpiece for a cozy gathering with friends, accompanied by a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread.
• Wine-Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, meaty pasta with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the flavors and create a restaurant-quality dining experience.
• Italian-Inspired Side Kick: Add a fresh bruschetta or antipasto platter on the side to bring extra Italian flair and provide a light contrast to the hearty main dish.
• Leftover Magic: Portion and freeze individual servings for quick weeknight meals, reheating with a sprinkle of extra cheese for a delicious second-round dinner.

How To Store Cheesy Pasta Bake

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The cheesy pasta maintains its delicious flavor when sealed properly, preventing moisture loss and maintaining texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in freezer-safe containers. These meals stay delectable for 2-3 months, perfect for quick future dinners.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Microwave works too, but might slightly compromise the cheese's crispy edges.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare the entire pasta bake in advance, refrigerate before baking, and cook within 24 hours for maximum freshness. This technique saves time and ensures a scrumptious meal is always ready.

Dreamy Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering cheesy pasta bake delivers comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Rich Italian-inspired ingredients combine perfectly, promising a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
• 24 oz (680 g) jar marinara sauce
• 14.5 oz (411 g) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning rack in central position for even heat distribution.
2. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, drain and reserve for subsequent layering.
3. Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking into fine crumbles. Drain excess fat, then integrate onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
4. Sauce Development: Infuse the meat with marinara, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer to meld flavors and create a rich, robust sauce.
5. Cheese Fusion: Combine cooked pasta with ricotta, blending half of mozzarella and Parmesan. Fold meat sauce into pasta mixture, ensuring thorough coating.
6. Baking Assembly: Transfer to greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Crown with remaining cheese varieties, creating a decadent topping.
7. Oven Transformation: Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbling.
8. Finishing Touch: Rest 5 minutes post-baking. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, then serve this warm, comforting pasta bake.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Check pasta texture 1-2 minutes before recommended cooking time to maintain perfect al dente consistency, preventing mushy results.
• Manage Excess Fat: Use lean ground beef or drain meat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and keep the dish lighter and more health-conscious.
• Layer Cheese Strategically: Mix different cheese varieties for complex flavor profile and ensure even melting by grating them freshly and distributing uniformly across the dish.
• Control Moisture Balance: If sauce seems too liquid, add breadcrumbs or reduce marinara slightly to prevent soggy pasta bake and maintain ideal texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg