Embrace the comforting warmth of classic baked pasta dishes with this incredibly simple and satisfying recipe. It’s designed for busy weeknights, perfect for sharing at potlucks, or even thoughtful for gifting to friends. You’ll love how easily these baked pasta recipes come together, offering maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Pasta Recipe
- Easy to prepare and assemble: This recipe streamlines the process, making it perfect for beginners and busy cooks.
- Hearty, comforting, and satisfying: Each bite delivers a rich, cheesy, and deeply flavorful experience that truly nourishes.
- Highly customizable with various add-ins: Feel free to experiment with different proteins or vegetables to make it your own.
- Excellent for meal prepping and freezing: Prepare a large batch and enjoy delicious leftovers throughout the week or save for later.
- A true crowd-pleaser for any occasion: Everyone adores this classic comfort food, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Creating delicious baked pasta recipes starts with a few key components. This simple list focuses on building rich flavors effortlessly.
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound short tube pasta, such as penne or ziti or, as here, mezzi rigatoni
- 4 cups tomato sauce, homemade or your favorite jarred sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano (2 to 2.5 ounces)
- 8 ounces whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella, divided
- 0.75 lbs sweet or hot Italian sausage, optional
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 9 ounces Tuscan kale (pre-stemming), stemmed and roughly chopped
Notes & Substitutions
You have many options to customize your baked pasta dish. Short tube pastas like penne, ziti, or rigatoni are ideal because they hold sauce well. While homemade tomato sauce offers the best flavor, a good quality jarred marinara works beautifully for speed and convenience. For mozzarella, choose whole milk, low-moisture varieties for the best melt and stretch; fresh mozzarella can be too watery here. Culinary experts often recommend low-moisture mozzarella for baked dishes due to its superior melting properties and ability to avoid making the dish watery. Instead of Parmigiano Reggiano, try Pecorino Romano or a blend of Italian cheeses. Boost your greens with spinach or Swiss chard, or add different proteins like ground beef, turkey, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
Equipment
You don’t need many special tools for this easy baked pasta. Gather a large pot for cooking pasta, a sizable skillet for sautéing, a 9×13 inch baking dish for assembly, and a large mixing bowl. If you’re planning to gift your delicious baked pasta, an optional disposable foil pan is incredibly handy.
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! These steps will guide you to a perfect baked pasta dish.
- Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Drop in the pasta and boil for exactly 6 minutes. This ensures it’s al dente before baking. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water immediately to stop cooking and remove excess starch.
- Combine Pasta and Base Ingredients: Transfer the rinsed pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pat it dry with a clean dish towel. Add the tomato sauce, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and 4 ounces of the mozzarella to the bowl. Stir everything gently until the pasta is evenly coated and the ingredients are well combined.
- Cook Add-ins (Optional): If you’re including the kale and sausage, start with the sausage. Place the sweet or hot Italian sausage in a large skillet over high heat. As soon as it begins to sizzle, reduce the heat to medium. Use a spoon to break the sausage into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it browns evenly and cooks through. Transfer the cooked sausage to the large pasta bowl, leaving any rendered fat behind in the skillet.
- Next, add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil to the same skillet and set it over medium-high heat. Add the stemmed and roughly chopped kale and season with a pinch of salt. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, using tongs to stir and rearrange the kale in the skillet until it is wilted down and tender-crisp. Transfer the cooked kale to the pasta bowl with the sausage. Stir all ingredients together until everything is well distributed throughout the pasta mixture.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the entire pasta mixture from the bowl into a 9×13-inch baking dish. You can also use a disposable foil pan if you’re preparing this baked pasta for gifting. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the pasta mixture is bubbling vigorously around the edges and the top crust of mozzarella is golden brown and beautifully melted to your liking.
- Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the baked pasta from the oven. Let it cool and rest briefly for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This short rest allows the flavors to meld and the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Pasta
Always cook your pasta al dente; it will finish cooking in the oven and prevent mushiness. To understand the technicalities of this cooking method, exploring the culinary science behind al dente pasta can elevate your cooking skills. Don’t skip rinsing the pasta under cold water; this crucial step prevents it from sticking together and removes excess starch. Use good quality tomato sauce for profound flavor depth, as it forms the base of your dish. Ensure even distribution of all ingredients for balanced bites. Achieve a beautiful golden-brown cheesy crust by baking until the top is visibly caramelized. To prevent dry pasta, make sure there’s enough liquid from the sauce and cream. Finally, adjust seasoning generously at each stage for the best taste.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
Elevate your delicious baked pasta by serving it alongside a crisp green salad tossed with a simple vinaigrette and a side of warm, crusty bread to soak up all the sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving for a vibrant finish. For delightful variations, consider incorporating roasted vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers into the mix. You can also layer in different cheeses such as creamy ricotta, smoky provolone, or sharp fontina. For those who enjoy a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes adds a wonderful warmth to any of these baked pasta recipes.
Storage & Make Ahead
This baked pasta is fantastic for meal prep! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze baked or unbaked portions. Wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, or transfer individual servings to freezer-safe containers. Frozen baked pasta keeps well for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions. If gifting unbaked pasta, simply include baking instructions for your friend.
Nutrition Information
This estimated nutrition information is per serving for a single serving of this delicious baked pasta. Please note that exact values can vary based on specific brands, ingredient substitutions, and portion sizes.
Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe (approx. 1.5 cups)
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 610 |
| Total Fat | 29g |
| Saturated Fat | 15g |
| Cholesterol | 90mg |
| Sodium | 1050mg |
| Total Carbs | 58g |
| Dietary Fiber | 6g |
| Total Sugars | 10g |
| Protein | 28g |
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of pasta works best for baked pasta?
Short, sturdy pasta shapes like penne, ziti, rigatoni, or mezzi rigatoni are ideal as they hold sauce well and maintain their texture during baking. Avoid long, thin pastas, which can become mushy.
Can I make this baked pasta vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, omit the sausage. For a vegan version, use plant-based pasta, vegan cheese substitutes, and plant-based cream, also skipping the sausage.
How do I prevent the pasta from drying out?
Ensure your pasta is slightly undercooked (al dente) before baking and that there is plenty of sauce and cream. A good layer of cheese on top also helps seal in moisture for your baked pasta.
Can this be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
What is the best way to reheat leftovers?
For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm, or cover the entire dish with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until bubbly.
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of a hearty baked pasta dish, especially one that’s as easy to prepare as this recipe. Its simplicity, combined with rich flavors and cheesy goodness, makes it an instant favorite for busy parents and beginner cooks alike. Whether you’re feeding your family on a weeknight, bringing a dish to a potluck, or simply craving something warm and satisfying, these baked pasta recipes deliver every time. Make this versatile dish part of your regular meal rotation and enjoy its crowd-pleasing qualities.