This shortcut penne pasta bake with ricotta cheese and mozzarella is quick and easy to make, super creamy and cheesy, and a delicious and comforting dinner recipe for weeknights or dinner parties!
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This is one of my favourite pasta dinners to serve when I'm hosting guests for dinner! Everyone goes for seconds and loves how cheesy and creamy it is. I love that it's a quick dump and bake pasta dish that takes just 5 minutes to prepare!
It's so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Did you know Cup of Flour only makes easy recipes with basic ingredients and avoids fancy ingredients? Check out the About page to learn why!
Recipe Ingredients
- Penne: This recipe uses penne but you can use whatever pasta noodles you like best!
- Water: Since this is a no-boil pasta bake, a couple of cups of water gets added to the pasta bake dish with the other ingredients to ensure the noodles have enough liquid to cook the noodles while it bakes.
- Tomato Sauce/Marinara Sauce: You can make this pasta bake with a jar or store-bought spaghetti sauce or you can make your own tomato pasta sauce!
- Spinach: Frozen spinach is used in this recipe but fresh works also!
- Cheese: This cheesy pasta bake recipe uses three cheeses: whole milk ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Egg: The egg gets mixed with the ricotta to help bind the cheese and keep it from getting runny.
- Garlic: Fresh mince garlic adds flavor to the pasta bake.
- Basil: Fresh basil adds freshness and flavor to the baked pasta dish.
- Salt & Pepper: A pinch of salt and pepper help to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit.
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: Mix the ricotta and egg in a bowl. Add and mix in the salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan and basil.
- Assemble the Pasta Bake: To a 9x13 dish, add and mix the uncooked penne, water, marinara, spinach, and 1 cup of mozzarella together. Spread the ricotta mixture over the pasta (it won't fully cover it) and then evenly sprinkle the remaining 2 and ½ cups of mozzarella over the top.
- Bake: Bake covered on the middle rack for 30 minutes, and then uncovered for another 10-15 or until the cheese is golden. Serve with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes as desired.
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftovers covered in tinfoil or plastic wrap (once cooled completely) in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer in an airtight container(s) for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply transfer a portion to a microwave-safe plate or dish and microwave until warm in intervals of 20 seconds.
Alternative Ingredients
- Protein Options: Make this ricotta pasta bake extra hearty with some cooked ground beef or consider adding some ground Italian sausage to this recipe. It'll pack a ton of extra flavor, just like in my cheesy sausage and spinach pasta bake recipe.
- Pasta Options: A popular noodle in pasta bakes is rigatoni noodles because they are hearty, can hold up well, and won't get over-cooked. However, any noodle will really do!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a no-boil pasta bake so you can just add the uncooked pasta directly to the baking dish and it will cook as it bakes.
Absolutely. If you don't have fresh garlic or basil, you can substitute those ingredients with 1 teaspoon of each.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this with an appetizer, such as some classic tomato basil bruschetta or an easy 5 ingredient mozzarella prosciutto crostini. It also goes great with garlic bread, a fresh loaf of bread slathered in butter, and a light leafy salad.
Related Recipes
If have a ton of pasta bake recipes on Cup of Flour, including this cheesy sausage pasta bake, creamy pesto and mozzarella pasta bake, creamy mushroom and chicken pasta bake, Italian sausage and cheese tortellini casserole, spaghetti casserole with cream cheese, pizza spaghetti casserole and mac and cheese bake too!
Print📖 Recipe
Penne Pasta Bake with Ricotta Cheese and Mozzarella
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This penne pasta bake with ricotta cheese and mozzarella is easy, cheesy, and super comforting.
Ingredients
- Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon
- Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Garlic Clove: 1, minced or finely shredded
- Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup
- Fresh Basil: ¼ cup, chopped
- Penne: 1 pound
- Water: 2 cups
- Marinara: 5 cups (approx. 2 jars) or make your own tomato sauce
- Frozen Spinach: 2 cups
- Mozzarella Cheese: 3 and ½ cups, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit.
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: Mix the ricotta and egg in a bowl. Add and mix in the salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan and basil.
- Assemble the Pasta Bake: To a 9x13 dish, add and mix the uncooked penne, water, marinara, spinach, and 1 cup of mozzarella together. Spread the ricotta mixture over the pasta (it won't fully cover it) and then evenly sprinkle the remaining 2 and ½ cups of mozzarella over the top.
- Bake: Bake covered on the middle rack for 30 minutes, and then uncovered for another 10-15 or until the cheese is golden. Serve with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes as desired.
Notes
Spray the tin foil. If you're using tin foil to cover the pasta while it bakes, spray it with cooking spray so that once the cheese starts to melt, it won't stick to the tin foil.
Tent the tin foil. Another great way to keep the melted cheese from sticking to tin foil if you're using it is to cut a big piece to create a tent/bubble over the pasta bake. It may stick to the cheese if it's too tight and flat.
A large bowl may come in handy. It may be easier to mix the ingredients in a large bowl and then transfer it to the baking dish before topping with cheese and baking it, rather than mixing it all in the baking dish itself.
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: casserole, Dinner, Lunch, pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
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Andrea says
Such a delicious comfort meal! What did you think?:)