Baked Penne Pasta Recipes This comforting, vegetarian Cheesy Baked Pasta tastes like lasagna but is much easier to make. Penne pasta, marinara sauce, and fresh herbs meet a creamy blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella. It’s a budget-friendly recipe for feeding a group or large family. You can also divide it in half and freeze one batch for later.

About This Recipe

Feeds a crowd, similar to our Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups.

Typically pleases even the pickiest of eaters, just like our Hearty Baked Penne Pasta.

It’s cheap to make.

Tastes like lasagna but MUCH faster to throw together.

It’s made a tad healthier with whole wheat pasta, your favorite all-natural marinara sauce (mine is Rao’s), fresh herbs, and a simple 3-cheese filling.

Serve with our Italian House Chopped Salad, Mandarin Orange Salad, or Strawberry Fields Salad, along with your favorite fruit, for a well-rounded, fast weeknight dinner.

Also Read: Mediterranean Cuisine Vegetarian Recipes: Healthy & Flavorful Meals

Ingredients

Here are the simple, real food ingredients you’ll need.

Ingredient Notes

Fresh herbs–parsley and/or basil–really make this dish, so do your best to find those.

I used whole wheat penne because it’s more nutritious, hearty, and flavorful than white pasta, in my opinion.

Want to add meat? Brown, crumble, and drain the Italian sausage, then stir it into the pasta and cheese mixture. Or try our Hearty Baked Penne Pasta recipe instead.

How to Make Cheesy Baked Pasta

Please know that this recipe makes a LARGE batch that will serve 10-12 people. However, feel free to divide the recipe into two pans that serve 5-6 instead,d and freeze one for later using our instructions below.

Here are the basics of how to make Cheesy Baked Pasta:

Boil Pasta & Prep

Cook pasta to al dente, according to directions on the box, and drain. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease one 9×13-inch casserole dish (or two 8×8-inch dishes) with cooking spray.

Make Filling

In a large mixing bowl, stir together ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella cheese (reserve the rest), Parmesan cheese, eggs, fresh herbs, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add 2 1/2 cups of marinara (reserve the rest) andthe drained pasta, and gently stir everything together.

Finish Casserole

Add the pasta mixture to the greased casserole dish(es). Spread the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2-2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over that.

Bake & Serve

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly on the edges and hot in the middle. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and garnish with lots of fresh chopped herbs.

Easy Cheesy Baked Pasta

This comforting, vegetarian Cheesy Baked Pasta tastes like lasagna but is much easier to make. Penne pasta, marinara sauce, and fresh herbs meet a creamy blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella. It’s a budget-friendly recipe for feeding a group or large family. You can also divide it in half and freeze one batch for later.

Also Read: Philly Cream Cheese Recipes: Easy, Creamy & Delicious Ideas

Conclusion

Baked Penne is an easy, cheesy meal that tastes like lasagna but is much simpler to make. Baked Penne Pasta Recipes It uses cheap ingredients and can be frozen to save time later. Baked Penne Pasta Recipes It is a perfect, stress-free dinner that everyone in the family will love, especially when served with a fresh salad.

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