Prepare for cheesy, beefy bliss with this simple DIY pasta bake dish!
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Do you love lasagna but can’t stand all the prep work that goes into this classic recipe? I hear you. Lasagna is always a crowd-pleaser, but it can be a bit of a pain to assemble. Preparing and spreading all those layers of noodles, cheese, and sauce takes time and effort — precisely what we don’t have on busy weeknights!
While nothing beats an authentic slice of steamy lasagna, there are a few simpler ways to enjoy those comforting, cheesy flavors without as much of a fuss. For instance, have you ever thought about making a pasta bake?
With a pasta bake recipe, you’ll cut your prep time down significantly simply by mixing all those wonderful ingredients in one dish. You could even make your pasta bake ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a super fast home-cooked meal.
So, whenever you’re in the mood for some serious Italian comfort food, be sure to keep this pasta bake recipe on hand.
Is This Pasta Bake Healthy?
Pasta bake is convenient and comforting, but it’s not the world’s most nutrient-dense meal. Sure, you get a lot of protein from ground beef and nutrients from garlic, onion, and tomato sauce, but this recipe isn’t jam-packed with antioxidants or vitamins. Plus, for those living a low-carb or non-dairy lifestyle, the pasta and cheese are a big no-no.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make a pasta bake you can feel good about. For example, you could use whole-wheat pasta to add some extra fiber. There are also plenty of alternative kinds of pasta made with ingredients like lentils or chickpeas that offer a healthful gluten-free substitute.
Another way to make this recipe healthier is to swap ground beef for leaner meats like turkey or chicken. You could also add more veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach for a new dimension of flavor and plenty of extra vitamins.
Do you need to cook pasta before baking it?
I get it: We’re all looking for ways to save time in the kitchen. While it doesn’t take hours to boil a pot of water and pre-cook your pasta, it’s an extra step that can be a pain on a busy workday. So, can you skip this step?
Short answer: Yes. If you’re really pressed for time, you could put uncooked pasta in your baking dish with enough sauce and liquid. While this method works fine as the pasta absorbs the liquid in the oven, there are a few potential downsides to consider.
First, uncooked pasta can lead to a looser consistency since you need to add more liquid to your baking dish. Be forewarned that some people don’t like the “starchier” taste and texture uncooked pasta brings to their dish versus drained al dente pasta. You may also have to keep uncooked pasta in the oven longer to ensure it’s cooked.
Please take note of these tradeoffs before deciding whether the conveniences of uncooked pasta are worth it. Better yet, try this pasta bake recipe once with pre-cooked and another time with uncooked pasta, and see which method works best for your tastebuds.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 48 oz marinara sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Mix cheeses, combine beef and seasonings; prepare pasta and oven.
Assemble
Layer pasta, sauce, and cheese mixture in baking dish.
Bake
Bake covered then uncovered until bubbly and golden.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Pasta bake is a perfect recipe to prepare dinner in advance. After cooking this recipe and letting it cool for at least 30 minutes, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it chilled for 2 days before reheating. You could also freeze portions of your pasta bake in foil and freezer-safe bags for a few months.
You don’t need cream in your pasta bake to get a creamy consistency! There are plenty of lactose-free “cheese” blends on today’s market, typically made with nut milks like cashew. Also, don’t forget that a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add a “cheddar-like” flavor without the cheese.
For a meat-free pasta bake, you could substitute the ground beef for alternatives like lentils, chickpeas, or crumbled tofu for a similar texture and plenty of protein. As for cheese alternatives, look into cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and other dairy-free “cheese” shreds to make a rich, vegan-approved pasta bake.
Serving Suggestions
Because pasta bakes are filling on their own, they often do best paired with a light and refreshing side. For instance, you could serve your pasta bake with a crisp Kale Salad with Cranberries for a contrasting bite and a healthy dose of greens. It’s also a great idea to serve your pasta bake with Oven-Roasted Veggies if you’re looking for an easy way to get some extra nutrition.
If you’re not opposed to carbs, it’s common to include breads like garlic knots and dinner rolls on the side of pasta bakes. These classic starchy sides are your ultimate partner when sopping up all that juicy marinara. However, a small serving of Cauliflower Rice can also be an excellent side idea for keto fans.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta ziti, penne, or rigatoni
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1 large egg whisked
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 48 oz marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and 1 cup mozzarella in a bowl and set aside.
- Boil pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic, spices, and marinara sauce. Simmer briefly.
- Combine pasta with most of the sauce. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Add dollops of ricotta mixture and remaining sauce.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining mozzarella, and bake until bubbly, about 15 minutes more.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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