Baked Pasta
Baked pasta is the ultimate comfort food, warm and cheesy, packed with flavors, and easily customizable for meal prep.
Ingredients
Pasta and Cheese Ingredients
- 1 pound 1 pound of pasta (penne or rigatoni) Choose penne or rigatoni.
- 2 cups 2 cups of marinara sauce Use homemade or store-bought.
- 1 cup 1 cup of ricotta cheese
- 2 cups 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese For topping.
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese For topping.
- 1 large 1 egg Binding agent.
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper to taste
- to garnish Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional) Optional for serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Combine the pasta and marinara sauce in a large bowl. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Add the ricotta mixture to the pasta, mixing well to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish (9x13 inches works great).
- Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
To store baked pasta, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. In the refrigerator, it can last for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover in foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions.