Ultimate Baked Pasta Casserole 🧀🍝

This hearty, cheesy baked pasta is the perfect comfort food—layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella for the ultimate family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 24 oz (700g) marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • Salt & pepper to taste

For the Cheese Layers:

  • 16 oz (450g) penne or rigatoni
  • 15 oz (425g) ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta al dente.
  2. Make sauce: Brown meat with onion and garlic. Stir in marinara and herbs; simmer 10 mins.
  3. Cheese mix: Combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and parsley.
  4. Layer: In a 9×13″ dish:
    • Half the pasta
    • All the ricotta mixture
    • Half the meat sauce
    • Remaining pasta
    • Remaining sauce
    • Top with mozzarella
  5. Bake 25-30 mins until bubbly and golden. Rest 10 mins before serving.

Variations

🍃 Vegetarian: Swap meat for sautéed mushrooms & spinach
🌶 Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to sauce
🧄 Garlic lovers: Mix roasted garlic into ricotta

Serves 8 – Perfect with garlic bread and salad!