Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe: A Weeknight Dinner That’s Truly Spectacular
I love recipes like this Cheesy Pasta Bake because they’re so simple to make yet so satisfying. It’s a family-friendly dish that would go perfectly with a fresh salad or warm garlic bread. Starting with penne pasta, this bake is loaded with marinara sauce, cream, and mozzarella cheese. To make it even better, it’s topped with more melted cheese and a crispy garlic crumb topping. It’s rich and cheesy, not overly saucy—so feel free to serve it with a side of marinara. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner!
Cheesy Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground chicken breast
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Garlic Bread Crumb:
- 3/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain it and set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground chicken until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Add garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir to coat the chicken.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Add heavy cream or milk. Stir until fully combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken with sauce, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and parsley (ingredients listed under the topping section.) Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan, if desired. If you’d like extra sauce, serve it with a side of marinara!
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