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Simple Baked Pasta Casserole

This Simple Baked Pasta Casserole is my go‑to comfort dish — cheesy, saucy, and endlessly customizable. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that looks fancy but takes almost no effort. Whether you add veggies, meat, or just extra cheese, it always comes out golden, bubbly, and ready to impress.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta penne, rotini, or rigatoni
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins:
  • Cooked ground beef
  • Cooked sausage
  • Spinach
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini
  • Bell peppers

Method
 

  1. INSTRUCTIONS
  2. Cook the pasta until slightly underdone. It will finish cooking in the oven, so keep it a little firm.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the marinara sauce, ricotta, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and half of the mozzarella.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Add any optional extras like ground beef, sausage, spinach, mushrooms, or veggies. Mix gently.
  6. Transfer the mixture into a baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  7. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
  8. Bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving so it sets nicely.