Simple Pasta Casserole

Turn dinnertime into a comforting, crowd-pleasing event with this cozy Simple Pasta Casserole recipe! Featuring tender penne pasta layered with a rich, herb-infused marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and a bubbly blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this baked dish delivers irresistible cheesy goodness in every bite. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, oregano, and basil, and baked to golden-brown perfection, this casserole is as easy to assemble as it is satisfying to eat. Ready in just 45 minutes and serving up to six, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner or potluck favorite. Garnish with fresh parsley for a hint of color and freshness, and enjoy this decadent, yet simple, comfort food classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 300 grams penne pasta
• 500 ml marinara sauce
• 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
• 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
• 250 grams ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 units garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with a light coating of olive oil or nonstick spray.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4

Add the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.

Step 6

In the greased casserole dish, assemble the casserole by layering half of the cooked pasta, half of the marinara sauce, and half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 8

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 10

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1332.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2579.1

Total Fat 111.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 345.4mg	0%
Sodium 4265.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 261.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.8g	0%
Total Sugars 10.7g
Protein 140.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3094.1mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 966.4mg	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: 38.4%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 40.0%