5 Irresistible Baked Pasta Recipes You'll Love

Imagine a cozy evening at home where the aroma of baking pasta fills the air, promising a delicious dinner that wraps you in warmth and comfort. Baked pasta recipes are a culinary staple, blending creamy sauces, rich cheeses, and an array of toppings to create dishes that not only satiate your hunger but also provide a delightful sensory experience. Today, we explore five irresistible baked pasta recipes, each tailored to tantalize different taste preferences while offering a window into the world of easy yet exquisite home cooking.

Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Why You’ll Love It: This classic rendition of baked spaghetti epitomizes comfort food. It’s perfect for family dinners, bringing everyone together with its hearty and familiar flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite pasta sauce
• 12 oz spaghetti, cooked to al dente
• 1 cup of ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Add pasta sauce to the beef, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, one egg, half the mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir in the cooked spaghetti.
5. Spread half the meat sauce in the bottom of a greased baking dish.
6. Layer the pasta mixture on top of the sauce, then cover with the remaining meat sauce.
7. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

💡 Note: Let the dish rest for about 10 minutes after baking to allow it to set for easier slicing.

Vegetarian Lasagna

Why You’ll Love It: Here’s a celebration of vegetables and cheeses, creating a lighter yet equally satisfying baked pasta dish.

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 eggplant, thinly sliced
• 2 cups spinach
• 16 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh basil and oregano to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer the ingredients in a greased baking dish: marinara, noodles, vegetables, then ricotta mixed with garlic.
3. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
4. Season with fresh herbs, then bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden.

Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Why You’ll Love It: Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor, and the creamy sauce envelops penne and chicken in a dreamy texture, making this an upscale comfort meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. penne pasta, cooked
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• ¹⁄₂ cup chicken broth
• ¹⁄₂ cup heavy cream
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups shredded Gouda cheese
• Salt, pepper, and thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, broth, and cream in a baking dish. Stir well.
3. Top with Gouda, sprinkle with thyme.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Why You’ll Love It: This dish is elegant in its simplicity, with spinach and ricotta filling large pasta shells and baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 18-20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup chopped spinach, thawed and drained if frozen
• ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups shredded mozzarella
• Nutmeg and salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, egg, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
3. Stuff each shell with the spinach and ricotta mixture.
4. Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish, place the stuffed shells on top.
5. Cover with the remaining marinara, sprinkle with mozzarella.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned.

💡 Note: Be sure to undercook the pasta shells slightly to avoid them breaking when stuffed.

One-Pot Greek Pasta Bake

Why You’ll Love It: This recipe packs Mediterranean flavors into one pot, making it an effortless way to enjoy a taste of Greece.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pasta (like rigatoni or penne)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• ¹⁄₂ cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• ¹⁄₄ cup capers, drained
• ¹⁄₂ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Oregano, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a deep oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil, then sauté garlic, zucchini, and bell pepper until softened.
3. Stir in tomatoes, olives, capers, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the pasta, ensuring it’s covered by the liquid.
4. Bring to a simmer, then cover with feta, and transfer to the oven.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring once or twice during baking.

As we conclude this culinary journey through irresistible baked pasta recipes, it's clear that the humble pasta can transform into a dish of varied flavors and textures. From the comforting embrace of baked spaghetti to the vibrant flavors of the Greek pasta bake, each dish promises to bring joy to your table. They not only showcase the versatility of pasta but also highlight the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly memorable. These recipes remind us that comfort food can be both easy to prepare and exquisitely delicious.