Description
Cheesy Pasta Bake brings comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Creamy cheese, perfectly cooked pasta, and a golden crispy top make this simple dish a weeknight winner that keeps your family smiling.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300g pasta
- 200g cheese, grated
- 100g mozzarella, sliced
- 500ml marinara sauce
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm your oven to exactly 180°C (350°F) for perfect baking conditions.
- Cook 300g pasta in salted boiling water until perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they turn translucent and fragrant.
- Pour 500ml marinara sauce into the skillet, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce gently for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Drain your cooked pasta and combine it with the sauce, mixing in 100g of grated cheese until every strand is generously coated.
- Select a baking dish and spread the pasta mixture evenly across the bottom, creating a smooth, consistent layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 100g of grated cheese over the top, then strategically place 100g of mozzarella slices across the surface for maximum cheese coverage.
- Insert the dish into your preheated oven and bake for precisely 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges that signal it’s perfectly done.
Notes
- This cheesy pasta bake works perfectly with gluten-free pasta for anyone avoiding wheat.
- Swap marinara for a homemade tomato sauce to control sodium and flavor intensity.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like cheddar, parmesan, or gouda for unique taste profiles.
- Chop fresh herbs like basil or parsley and sprinkle on top right after baking to add brightness and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg