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Crowd Favorite Easy Pasta Bake

Easy pasta bake with golden cheese, red sauce, and penne on white plate.
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This is the ultimate comfort food for busy nights, combining a savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheeses. It’s simple to make, feeds a crowd, and reheats beautifully for future meals. A guaranteed family favorite that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (16 oz) short pasta, like penne, rigatoni, or ziti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups (16 oz) ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 cups (12 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup (4 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion, breaking up the meat. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Drain excess grease.
  3. To the skillet, add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Mix until well combined.
  5. In a large bowl or the empty pasta pot, combine the drained pasta and the meat sauce, stirring to coat.
  6. Spread half of the saucy pasta mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop and gently spread the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Top with the remaining saucy pasta.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan evenly over the top.
  8. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden in spots.
  9. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

Notes

For best results, cook pasta al dente and let the baked dish rest before cutting. The recipe can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen bake in fridge before baking as directed, adding 5-10 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/crowd-favorite-easy-pasta-bake/