10+ Baked Pasta Recipes to Cozy Up Your Dinner Table

Baked pasta recipes just hit the spot when you want something warm and filling. You get pasta, sauces, cheese, and sometimes meat or veggies, all coming together in the oven.

Honestly, it’s hard to mess these up. Toss a few ingredients together, let the oven work its magic, and dinner’s ready.

Baked pasta dishes fit almost any mood or occasion. Whether you’re in a rush or planning a family meal, there’s always a way to make baked pasta work.

Ingredients

• Pasta (ziti, penne, rigatoni—pick your favorite)
• Tomato sauce or creamy sauce
• Cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, or whatever you like)
• Optional: ground beef, sausage, veggies, herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook pasta until al dente, following package directions.
3. Mix cooked pasta with sauce, cheese, and any extras you want.
4. Dump everything into a baking dish, top with more cheese.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until everything’s bubbling and golden.

1) Classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella and Parmesan

Baked ziti is classic comfort food—no fancy steps, just good flavors. Cook your ziti, mix it up with marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

That cheesy, creamy combo? It’s hard to beat.

Great for feeding a crowd, or just yourself if you want leftovers. Bake until the top is bubbly and golden.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ziti pasta
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ziti pasta al dente and drain.
3. In a big bowl, mix pasta, marinara, ricotta, and 2 cups mozzarella.
4. Pour into a baking dish.
5. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and all the Parmesan on top.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden.

2) Creamy Beef and Tomato Pasta Casserole

This casserole brings together ground beef, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce. It’s really straightforward and works well for family dinners.

A bit of oregano and basil gives it that Italian kick.

You cook the beef and pasta first, then mix them with the sauce. Pop it in the oven until the cheese melts and everything bubbles.

A cheesy topping makes it extra good. Use mozzarella or cheddar—whatever you’re in the mood for.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz pasta (penne or elbow)
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta al dente, drain, set aside.
3. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add beef, brown it, and drain off fat.
5. Stir in tomatoes, cream, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer 5 minutes.
6. Mix in the pasta, put it all in a baking dish.
7. Top with cheese.
8. Bake 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

3) Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

This one’s a favorite if you love sausage and cheese. Rigatoni gets tossed with garlicky marinara, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.

Mozzarella and ricotta bring in that creamy, gooey texture.

Bake until the top turns golden. It feels like a homemade meal without a ton of effort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound rigatoni pasta
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook rigatoni, drain.
3. Brown sausage with garlic in a pan.
4. Add marinara, tomatoes, and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts.
5. Mix pasta with sausage sauce, ricotta, half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
6. Put in a baking dish, top with the rest of the cheese.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

4) Ham and Cheese 5-Ingredient Pasta Bake

This pasta bake is perfect when you don’t want to fuss. Five ingredients, and you’re done.

Use up leftover ham and get dinner on the table fast.

Cook your pasta, mix with ham, cheese, and sauce. The cheese melts into a rich, gooey layer and the ham brings some salty bite.

Bake until golden, and that’s it.

Kids and adults both dig this one.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces pasta (rigatoni or penne)
• 16 ounces cubed ham
• 16 ounces Alfredo sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain.
3. Combine pasta, ham, Alfredo, and 1 ½ cups cheese in a big bowl.
4. Pour into a baking dish, top with the rest of the cheese.
5. Bake uncovered 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.
6. Sprinkle parsley on top if you’re feeling fancy.

5) One-Pan Crispy Spaghetti with Chicken

Here’s a one-pan wonder for when you just can’t deal with a sink full of dishes. Chicken thighs turn crispy and juicy while spaghetti cooks underneath.

You end up with crunchy bits of pasta on top and bottom. That texture is seriously satisfying.

You’ll use olive oil, chicken thighs with skin, onion, garlic, and tomato paste. Everything cooks together, so flavors meld.

It’s an easy weeknight meal that feels a bit special.

The mix of tender chicken and crispy spaghetti is just fun. It’s a cool twist on regular pasta, and you barely dirty any dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 kilogram (about 4-6) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 250 grams spaghetti
• 3 cups chicken broth
• Parmesan cheese for topping
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a big oven-safe pan over medium.
2. Season chicken, brown skin-side down 5-7 minutes. Flip, cook 3 minutes more. Remove chicken.
3. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft. Stir in tomato paste.
4. Break spaghetti in half, add to pan. Pour in broth, mix gently.
5. Place chicken on top, skin-side up.
6. Cover, cook over medium until pasta’s almost tender (about 10 minutes).
7. Bake at 400°F (200°C) uncovered for 10 minutes to crisp the top.
8. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

Want more details? Check out Yotam Ottolenghi’s one-pan crispy spaghetti and chicken.

6) Baked Penne with Spinach and Ricotta

This baked penne is a go-to when you want something cozy but meatless. Mix cooked penne with creamy ricotta and fresh spinach.

Top with cheese, bake until bubbly and golden. That’s pretty much it.

The ricotta keeps things creamy, spinach adds a fresh note. Use store-bought sauce or make your own if you’re feeling ambitious.

It’s easy to scale up or down, and leftovers are solid for lunch.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or fontina
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook penne, drain.
3. Mix pasta, ricotta, spinach, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Spread half the marinara in a baking dish.
5. Add penne mix, top with the rest of the sauce and cheese.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.

7) Easy Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

There’s nothing quite like a simple baked mac and cheese—creamy inside, crunchy on top. Start with cooked elbow macaroni.

Make a cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, and slowly adding milk. Stir in shredded cheddar until it’s all gooey and smooth.

For the topping, toss panko with melted butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Scatter this mix over the mac and cheese.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the top turns golden and bubbly, about 25-35 minutes. That crispy layer? It’s honestly the best part.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
2. Melt butter in a pot, then whisk in flour to make a roux.
3. Slowly pour in milk while whisking until the sauce thickens.
4. Stir in shredded cheddar and let it melt until smooth.
5. Mix cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni.
6. Pour into a baking dish and top with panko, melted butter, and Parmesan.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-35 minutes until bubbly and golden.

8) Ground Beef and Onion Pasta Bake

This one’s a favorite for busy nights. Cook ground beef with chopped onions until the meat browns and onions soften.

Add your go-to tomato sauce, season with salt, pepper, and a dash of Italian herbs. Stir in cooked pasta and a handful of cheese.

Spread everything in a baking dish, then top with mozzarella. Bake until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 cups cooked pasta
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet. Drain off the fat.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix in the cooked pasta.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and cover with mozzarella.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

9) Vegetarian Stuffed Shells with Marinara

Vegetarian stuffed shells are surprisingly easy. Fill jumbo pasta shells with roasted veggies and cheese.

Bake them in marinara until everything’s warm and bubbling. It’s a solid choice for family dinners or meal prep.

You can freeze leftovers, too. Try adding spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and a boost of nutrients.

You just need marinara, cheese, and your favorite veggies. The shells soak up the sauce perfectly while baking.

Ingredients

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta or shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1½ cups roasted vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms)
• 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells, then drain and let them cool.
3. Mix roasted veggies, cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each shell with the veggie mixture.
5. Spread half the marinara in a baking dish.
6. Arrange stuffed shells on top, then add the rest of the sauce.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes.
8. Let cool a bit before serving.

10) Four Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil

This one’s pure comfort. Four cheeses make it super creamy, and the fresh basil at the end really brightens everything up.

Cook your pasta until it’s just al dente. Mix it with mozzarella, ricotta, Fontina, and Parmesan.

Spread the cheesy pasta in a baking dish. Top with more cheese and a handful of fresh basil.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the top turns golden and you see those bubbly edges. Perfect for a cozy night in, honestly.

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup Fontina cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Boil the pasta until it’s al dente, then drain it.

3. Toss the pasta with marinara, cheeses, salt, pepper, and a bit of basil.

4. Scoop everything into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle some extra Parmesan on top.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese gets all melty and golden.