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Pasta Party Bake

A comforting casserole with layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese that's perfect for feeding a crowd
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

For the pasta base:
  • 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the cheese layer:
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just shy of al dente. Drain well and set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add ground meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  4. Spread half the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish. Top with half the meat sauce, then dollop the ricotta mixture over top, spreading gently. Add remaining pasta, then the rest of the meat sauce.
  5. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta just shy of al dente to prevent mushy results. Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated - add 10-15 extra minutes to baking time. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving for cleaner cuts. Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Ground turkey can substitute for beef, and cottage cheese can replace ricotta.