Description
This easy pasta bake is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for family dinners. Loaded with cheese, pasta, and a choice of veggies or meats, it’s a complete meal in one dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
- 2 cups (480ml) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (240ml) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup cooked ground beef or Italian sausage
- Optional: 1 cup chopped spinach or any favorite veggies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and cooked meat or veggies if using. Mix well.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to customize with your family’s favorite veggies or proteins.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 50
Keywords: food recipes for dinner families, pasta bake, family dinner recipes, easy dinner recipes, cheesy pasta