Description
A comforting, cheesy pasta dish baked to perfection with layers of pasta, marinara sauce, and a rich combination of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses. This savory pasta bake is a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and perfect for any family meal or gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and the beaten egg. Stir until well mixed.
- Assemble the bake: Spread half of the cooked pasta into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half of the sauce mixture, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat with the remaining pasta, sauce, and cheese mixture.
- Bake: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, you can substitute the ground meat with a mix of sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to the sauce for more flavor and nutrition.
- This dish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven until hot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American