Three Cheese Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious dish that combines three types of cheese with pasta and marinara sauce, baked to perfection.
Author:Lisa
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:30-35 minutes
Total Time:45-45 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
12 ounces pasta (e.g., penne or rigatoni)
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, marinara sauce, sautéed garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta mixture.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor.