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    Home » Whole Food Recipes » Simple Dinner Recipes

    February 9, 2022 | By Jami

    Simple Baked Pasta with Cheese

    Jump to Recipe
    40 minute cheesy layered baked pasta

    This simple baked pasta with cheese recipe is a super easy, 5-ingredient dish you can make with any type of pasta you have on hand, either with meat or meatless. It's the delicious extra cheese- in the sauce and second layer - that elevates this above the norm, making it a sure family favorite for your meal plans.

    cheesy simple baked pasta on spoon

    Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

    Most of the time when we have pasta, it's simply a sauce ladled over or stirred into the noodles or spaghetti before serving, like our creamy pesto pasta.

    It's an easy, quick, no-brainer kind of dinner that is usually a family favorite.

    But once in awhile I feel like something a little different.

    Something oozing with cheese. And I think anything with lots of oozing cheese counts as comfort food - don't you? 

    When that mood strikes, that's when it's time to make this cheesy baked pasta dish.

    simple baked pasta cooked above

    It's still really easy and though it takes a few minutes longer, it's just a few - and totally worth it for the extra cheesy layers of melty goodness.

    Plus, it's perfect for making in advance and popping in the oven to be perfectly warm when serving.

    You can't do that with pasta a sauce from the stove top - keeping it warm is always the challenge.

    There are a couple of tricks to making this the cheesy comfort food that it is - and one special ingredient that if you have it will make this even better (but it's okay if you don't).

    Baked Pasta with Cheese Recipe

    simple baked pasta ingredients

    Ingredients

    Don't you love recipes like this? All you need is five basic ingredients (for the meatless version):

    • Pasta - any kind, even longer spaghetti will work, though I'd just break them up for easier serving (I now prefer lower carb pasta like the Banza Penne shown in the photo above)
    • Prepared Tomato Sauce - see below for options
    • Mozzarella Cheese
    • Parmesan Cheese
    • Cream Cheese (technically you could leave this out, but trust me, this is what puts it over and above typical pasta bakes...)

    OPTIONAL: Add cooked Italian sausage, ground beef or turkey, leftover steak, or even chicken if you would like a meaty-cheesy pasta.

    Tomato Sauce Options

    1. My favorite - and what can make this really special - is to use frozen Roasted Tomato/Vegetable Sauce that's stocked in the freezer from last season's garden. If you have access to tomatoes during the growing season, I highly recommend making this super easy roasted sauce to turn to for quick winter meals - the flavor is out of this world. Not even kidding.
    2. If you don't have a sauce you can pull from the freezer, it's really easy to make one from canned pureed tomatoes, an onion, garlic, and seasonings: sauté the chopped onion and garlic in olive oil, add the tomatoes, some salt and pepper and a few Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. Boil and then turn down to let it simmer while the pasta cooks.
    3. Of course, you can use a large jar of purchased pasta sauce - no shame around here for that! I would splurge for a really good one, if you can.
    adding cream cheese to baked pasta sauce

    Directions

    Okay, does this really only take 10-15 minutes to put together?

    Yes, and here's how:

    1. Put the pasta to boil in a pot of salted water (you do have to get the water started beforehand, but it's hands-off and should only take a few minutes depending on your stove). Set the timer for 1-2 minutes less than the directions on your package.
    2. While the pasta is boiling, add the sauce to a pan big enough to also hold the pasta when it comes time to mix (I like my stainless everyday pan for tasks like this). Bring to a boil and add the cream cheese, stirring until melted. (Note: if you'd like to add a meat that isn't cooked yet, brown first in the pan and then add the sauce and cheese, otherwise add cooked meat after the cream cheese has melted.)
    3. While the sauce is cooking, grate any cheese you need (it's okay to use pre-grated here, we're cooking long enough that it will melt nicely).
    4. Drain the pasta when the timer goes off and add it to the sauce, stirring to coat everything well.
    simple baked pasta first layer
    Baked Pasta First Layer
    simple baked pasta second layer
    Baked Pasta Second Layer

    Here's the key to getting the cheesiest baked pasta:

    Add a layer of cheese in the middle!

    Add half the coated pasta to a baking dish, layer with half the mozzarella cheese, add the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the cheeses.

    Note on sizing down and the baker pictured: I made a half recipe for these photos (we don't need a full 3-quart pan for regular dinners - it works great halved) and baked in in a 11x9-inch oval ceramic baking dish similar to this one.

    serving simple baked pasta

    Um, yes please. Trust me - it's worth the extra pan to clean to get that extra cheesiness.

    Favorite Comment:

    "My husband said this was a keeper! I used diced tomatoes, onions, garlic for the sauce and slice smoked sausage for the meat. I also used vegetable pasta - great way to get vegetables in the kids." -Helen

    Baked Pasta with Cheese FAQ

    What is the point of a pasta bake?

    There are a couple ways that baked pasta is preferred, at times, to just boiled pasta with sauce.
    The first is that you can add layers of cheese that melt deliciously.
    The second is that baking the pasta gives it a crispy crust in addition to the browning cheese.
    Finally, it's the perfect way to make a dish in advance and have it cooking in the oven while you're entertaining or doing another task and it's piping hot at serving time.

    Do you have to cook the pasta before baking?

    For this recipe, yes, but only until the pasta is al dente, or slightly undercooked. The bake isn't in the oven long enough to cook dry pasta and water would need to be added.
    The pasta takes about 8 minutes to cook (depending on your pasta's directions) and in that time you are getting the sauce ready, so you really aren't losing any time.

    What goes with a pasta bake?

    My favorite side dish is always a nice green salad made with lettuce, spinach, or kale. A chopped salad in winter is another option.
    If you're looking for something cooked, a side of steamed or roasted broccoli or green beans is good.
    Many people like garlic bread with pasta (though I've done away with the double carb thing years ago).

    Can I use different cheeses?

    Mozzarella and parmesan are classic, but I've had good results mixing them with fontina for more bite and even plain jack cheese when I've been out of mozzarella. Sheep cheese for those you don't do cow dairy work as well.

    Side Dish Options

    • Orange Almond Salad with Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Green salad with Homemade Vinaigrette Salad Dressing or Perfect Honey Mustard Dressing
    • Kale Cranberry Salad Recipe with Feta & Pecans
    serving simple baked pasta
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Simple Cheesy Baked Pasta

    Bake up a pan of this cheesy, layered pasta using your own or store bought pasta sauce and your people will be very happy and comforted.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Dishes
    Cuisine: Italian
    Yield: 10 servings
    Author: Jami Boys

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound pasta Penne, Rotini, Ziti, etc.
    • 4 cups tomato pasta sauce, 32 ounces
    • 4 ounces cream cheese*
    • 3 to 4 cups grated mozzarella cheese
    • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
    • 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, sausage)** optional- leave out for meatless

    Instructions

    • In a large sauce pot, cook pasta about 2 minutes LESS than according to directions.
    • While pasta is cooking, brown the meat, if needed, and make/heat the pasta sauce in a pot big enough to mix with the pasta. Once the sauce is boiling (and meat cooked) add the cream cheese and stir until mixed in. Turn the heat down and let the sauce simmer.
    • Grate any of the cheeses, if needed.
    • Drain the pasta and return it to the cooking pot. Add the sauce mixture and stir until evenly coated. Or visa versa - add the pasta to the sauce if it's in the larger pot. Your choice.
    • Grease a 3-quart baking dish (13x9-inch) and spoon half of the pasta mixture onto the bottom. Sprinkle half of the grated mozzarella cheese and then top with remaining pasta. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on the top, as well as the Parmesan.
    • Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

    Notes

    *The cream cheese is optional, though it's what gives this dish that extra creaminess.
    **If you'd like to add meat, you can use all kinds here, too - think sliced smoked sausage, cooked leftover pork, chicken, or steak. It's a nice way to use up if you need to.
    VARIATION: If you'd like to add spinach, you can use frozen (thawed and drained), or fresh - if using fresh, though, saute it first in a bit of olive oil (or along with the meat if you're using) to cook off the moisture so it doesn't water down your sauce.
    Can this recipe be cut in half? Yes, it's easy to cut all the ingredients in half (though I usually do more sauce as we like it saucy) and bake in an 11x9 or 9x9 inch pan. Cooking time remains the same.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.2g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 14.2g | Saturated Fat: 7.7g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 879mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 4.7g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
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    layered baked pasta recipe

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    This recipe has been updated - it was originally published in February of 2010.

    Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read our full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My goal is to help you live a simple homemade life on your terms: cooking delicious real food, painless gardening, and making easy things that are totally worth your time. 

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