Dena's Baked Pasta

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Dena's Baked Pasta, a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender penne, a rich homemade tomato sauce, and layers of creamy cottage cheese (or ricotta) and gooey melted mozzarella. This easy-to-make baked pasta features a medley of aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian herbs like oregano and basil, creating an irresistible sauce that perfectly coats each piece of pasta. Topped with Parmesan cheese for a golden, bubbly finish, this crowd-pleasing recipe is baked to perfection in just under an hour. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, serve it with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 400 grams Penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 800 grams Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 250 grams Cottage cheese or ricotta
• 200 grams Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a large baking dish with a bit of olive oil or non-stick spray and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until fragrant and the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley and remove from heat.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce. Stir well to ensure that all the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 6

Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the cottage cheese (or ricotta) over the pasta and spread it gently. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 7

Add the remaining half of the pasta mixture on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining cottage cheese (or ricotta), mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Step 8

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden brown spots.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the baked pasta cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1147.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3029.2

Total Fat 119.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 53.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 299.6mg	0%
Sodium 6258.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 330.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 19.1g
Protein 164.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2835.3mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 1846.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.2%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 43.3%