Do you need to boil pasta before you bake it?

Yes, for this pasta bake recipe, it’s important to boil the pasta first, but only until it's about two minutes shy of al dente. This keeps it firm enough to hold texture during baking while still absorbing the flavors from the sauce. Baking uncooked pasta directly would result in uneven, undercooked bites unless the sauce is extremely watery or the bake time is dramatically extended.

What is the difference between a pasta bake and a casserole?

While often used interchangeably, there’s a slight difference. A pasta bake recipe typically centers around cooked pasta layered with sauce and cheese, baked until bubbly. A casserole is a broader term that may include rice, potatoes, or other grains, plus a mix of proteins and vegetables. All pasta bakes are casseroles, but not all casseroles are pasta bakes.

How long should I leave my pasta bake in the oven?

For best results, bake the assembled pasta dish covered at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes . Then uncover, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) , and bake for another 10–15 minutes . This ensures the center is hot and the cheese on top turns golden brown. If you're baking straight from the fridge, add an extra 10 minutes of covered bake time.

What veggies to put in a pasta bake?

Great veggie additions include zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, or cherry tomatoes . Lightly sauté them before mixing into the pasta for better flavor and texture. Adding veggies is a smart way to make this pasta bake recipe more filling and nutritious, especially when feeding a crowd.

Pasta Bake Recipe – 1 Cheesy Secret for Quick, Delicious Dinners

Description

A comforting, cheesy pasta bake recipe with ricotta, marinara, and ground beef. Easy to prep ahead and perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)
1 cup Ricotta cheese
¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
1 Egg (whisked)
2 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese (divided)
1 lb Ground beef
1 small Yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves Garlic (minced)
1/8 tsp Red pepper flakes
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Pepper
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 jars Marinara sauce (24 oz. each)
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Boil pasta two minutes short of al dente and drain.
Sauté ground beef and diced onions in a skillet until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, combine ricotta, parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, and the whisked egg.
Mix most of the meat sauce with the pasta.
In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer half the pasta mixture.
Dot with spoonfuls of ricotta cheese mixture, then layer remaining pasta and sauce on top.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
Remove foil, top with remaining mozzarella, and bake uncovered at 400°F (204°C) for 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

You can prep the whole dish ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight.
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting.
Swap beef for ground sausage or turkey if preferred.
Add spinach or mushrooms for a veggie-packed variation.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: pasta
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 525
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg