Pasta Bake

Pasta Bake is a deliciously cheesy meal, perfect for any night, and one that the whole family will love and devour in no time!

Pasta Bake is a staple on our weekly menu, it’s easy, cheesy, and delicious! Brussel Sprout Salad, Roasted Broccoli, or Roasted Green Beans are some great veggie choices to pair with Baked Pasta!

A family Staple

Pasta Bake Recipes make a weekly appearance on our dinner schedule. Pasta is quick, easy, filling, and always a crowd-pleaser.

This particular Pasta Bake is a favorite. It’s a Baked Penna Pasta recipe that is so tasty and cheesy. We’ve been long-time fans of Macaroni and Cheese so you better believe everyone – kid and adult – loved this recipe!

Similar to our White Sauce Macaroni and Cheese, this Cheesy Pasta Bake is ooey gooey, and delicious! Made in under 30-minutes, this recipe is sure to be a weeknight hit!

How to make Baked pasta

PASTA. Cook penne until al dente, or slightly underdone. Drain and set aside.

CHEESE SAUCE.

1. While the pasta is cooking, heat milk in a small saucepan. Keep warm, but do not let it simmer.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt your butter. Add flour to melted butter and stir for 1-2 minutes, until the butter-flour mixture is golden. Slowly whisk in the warm milk. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat, whisking often until thickened – about 10 min. Remove from heat.
3. Add heavy cream and ½ cup of Swiss and ½ cup of parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.

BAKE. Combine pasta with cheese sauce. Pour into a large buttered casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and Parmesan. Cover the dish with foil.

Bake at 400°F for 10 -15 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until cheese is golden brown.

ENJOY! Remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

recipe tips + variations

Fix dry pasta casserole: Being proactive in avoiding dry Pasta Bake is much easier than trying to fix a dried-out dish.

• Don’t add extra pasta: It can be tempting to add extra pasta and stretch the dish out, but if you add more pasta there won’t be enough sauce to compensate. 
• Boil the pasta to al dente. Undercooked pasta will absorb more liquid leaving dry pasta. 
• Coat the pasta completely with the sauce and cheese. Any uncoated pasta that sticks out will dry out. 
• Cover the pasta during the baking time to avoid moisture from evaporating.

If you do end up with a dry dish, try to revive it by stirring in some warmed milk or heavy cream. Or add moisture by saving the pasta water and mixing it in.

Nutmeg may seem like an odd addition, but it really brings out the best flavor and doesn’t make the mac and cheese sweet at all!

Variations:

• Season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, or parsley.
• Add veggies: red bell pepper, broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes, or spinach.
• Spice it up with jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
• Add a crispy topping: combine 1 cup of bread crumbs with ¼ cup melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the top before baking.
• Meat. sprinkle cooked crumbled bacon to the top. Mix in cooked cubed chicken, turkey, or browned ground beef or sausage.
• Shred your own cheese, this will help the cheese melt and mix in easier!
• Noodle. use elbow, bowties, ziti, or shell pasta.

Serve cheesy Pasta Bake with an Arugula Salad, Roasted Vegetables, or Cheesy Garlic Bread.

Storing Info

Make ahead of time. Assemble the classic Pasta Bake, cover it tightly, and leave it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before baking.

STORE leftover Pasta Bake in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

FREEZE: 

• Baked: Let it cool completely. Wrap it tightly in multiple layers of foil and place it in the freezer for 1-2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in the oven, covered, until warmed through.
• Unbaked: Let it cool completely and mix everything together. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and again with aluminum foil and freeze for 2-3 months. Bake from frozen adding a few minutes to the bake time.

This is a great dish to make ahead and bake when ready. It would make an excellent meal to surprise a neighbor!

For more pasta dishes:

• Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
• Bowtie Pasta with Italian Sausage
• Triple Cheddar Chicken Pasta
• Cheesy Ravioli Bake
• Fried Mac and Cheese
• Easy Fettuccine Alfredo

Adapted from Magical Recipes