Easy Weeknight Italian Pasta Bake

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Say goodbye to dinner dilemmas with this easy Italian pasta bake recipe! Delivering all the comforting flavors of lasagna without the effort, this no-fuss dinner option comes together in under an hour. You’re in for a truly customizable meal – easily made with sausage, meatballs, or veggies, and guaranteed to become a family staple for busy weeknights or a make ahead pasta recipe for potlucks

Italian pasta bake cleveland cooking

Here’s What You Will Need:

1 1/3 pounds of Italian sausage
24 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce
12 ounce box of bow tie pasta
1 cup of grated parmesan
3 cups of mozzarella

Browning the sausage

We usually get sausage from a butcher. They make a great Italian sausage! I buy it in the casing and take the meat out of the sausage. Estimate a tablespoon size piece and place it in a large skillet. Flatten it with a spatula so it browns a bit faster. I have found they layer better when flattened. There is no reason that you couldn’t get bulk sausage and go from there.

Choosing the Right Pasta for Your Bake

The pasta choice is up to you. I made sure to cook the pasta al dente because of the cooking time in the oven. Over boil the pasta and it will get mushy in the oven. Ziti or small rigatoni work best for my family. The pasta is substantial without taking up the whole baking dish. But I’m open to any pasta with this recipe!

Customizing Your Italian Pasta Bake: Endless Possibilities

There are many variations to this dish. I have made this Italian pasta recipe with mushrooms, onions and roasted peppers. A perfect vegetarian dinner. I have layered provolone and pepperoni in the pasta bake recipe also. I bought the provolone in slices and it added a great thick layer of cheese in the middle. No one complained about that! Lastly I have added pesto when serving the pasta bake. My family are big pesto fans and they loved it.

The choice, as always, is up to you. Make it your own!

The Italian pasta bake recipe goes great with the strawberry almond salad!

FAQ’s

Can I make this pasta bake ahead of time?

Yes! You can fully assemble the dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?

Ziti, rigatoni, or penne are great choices—they hold up well in the oven and soak up the sauce.

What cheeses are best for this pasta bake?

Mozzarella and parmesan are classic, but provolone, ricotta, or even a little cream cheese can add richness and variety.

How can I make this pasta bake vegetarian?

Skip the sausage and add roasted vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or zucchini for a hearty vegetarian version.

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