Quickie Pasta Bake

Servings: 4 Difficulty: Intermediate
A comforting, cheesy pasta bake ready in under an hour
Quickie Pasta Bake recipe image

This Quickie Pasta Bake is the ultimate weeknight comfort food, combining tender pasta with a rich, savory tomato sauce and a generous layer of melted cheese. The dish balances the acidity of crushed tomatoes with the earthy aroma of dried oregano and the sweetness of softened onions. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you need something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it with a simple green salad or crusty bread to soak up every last bit of sauce. This recipe is a family favorite that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for dinner parties or casual family meals.

Quickie Pasta Bake

Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4 Calories: 203.1

Description

This Quickie Pasta Bake is the ultimate weeknight comfort food, combining tender pasta with a rich, savory tomato sauce and a generous layer of melted cheese. The dish balances the acidity of crushed tomatoes with the earthy aroma of dried oregano and the sweetness of softened onions. It&# 226;ÂÂs perfect for busy evenings when you need something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it with a simple green salad or crusty bread to soak up every last bit of sauce. This recipe is a family favorite that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for dinner parties or casual family meals.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ðF (175ðC).
  2. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Add chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  6. In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and the tomato sauce.
  7. Stir in 1 cup of the grated cheese until evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of grated cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
  10. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 203.1kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5.3g9%
Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 6.5mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 33.1g12%
Dietary Fiber 3.8g16%
Sugars 3.2g
Protein 6.7g14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: pasta bake, quick dinner, cheesy pasta, tomato sauce, oven baked, comfort food, weeknight meal, penne bake, rotini bake, easy recipe, family dinner, italian pasta, cheese sauce, simple meal, vegetarian, budget friendly, leftover friendly, crowd pleaser, homestyle, quickie
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