Baked Penne Pasta With Mozzarella

Name: Baked Penne Pasta With Mozzarella
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 24 oz jar of pasta sauce (any kind will work.); 1 lb dry penne pasta (*see notes); 2 cups water; ½ tbsp dried, crushed, oregano; ½ tbsp garlic powder; ½ tbsp onion powder; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional); 2 cups spinach (*see notes); 1½ cup fresh mozzarella (*see notes)

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Baked Penne Pasta requires only one dish, no boiling your pasta. Everything is baked together for the most divine, flavorful pasta casserole you've ever had. The bubbly cheese makes it creamy and perfectly cheesy. Pair with garlic bread and enjoy.

Baked Penne Pasta up close in a baking dish.

Why Make This Recipe

For starters, this Baked Penne Pasta With Mozzarella is so easy to make. You basically dump everything in a baking dish, set it and forget it for 45 minutes to an hour. This is a great dish for the family or for entertaining. It's so savory and perfectly cheesy it will be your new favorite weeknight dish. No boiling water for pasta and you can use any noodle and veggie of choice to bake into this casserole.

Ingredients Needed To Make Baked Penne Pasta

Baked Penne Pasta With Mozzarella ingredients on a counter in bowls.

Pasta. Any noodle of choice will work, but this is called Penne Baked Pasta so I use Penne.

Pasta Sauce. Any red sauce of choice will work great. 1 jar (24 oz)

Mozzarella. High quality fresh mozzarella works best and melts great.

Mushrooms. Optional.

Spinach. Fresh baby or regular spinach. Optional.

Seasoning. Garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.

Water. To add to the dish to help cook the pasta while baking.

Steps To Make Baked Penne Pasta

Baked Penne Pasta With Mozzarella in steps.

Step One. Preheat oven to 375º. In an 8 x 11 or 9x9 baking dish, add dry pasta, red sauce, water (I fill the empty sauce jar with the water and shake it to get more sauce out). Add in seasoning, mushrooms, spinach. Carefully, gently mix together in the dish. Cover the dish tightly with tin foil.

Step Two. Bake covered for 40 minutes. Pull it out after baking for 30 minutes, add the fresh mozzarella over the top of the pasta casserole and bake for another 30 minutes, then take tin foil off and cook for another 10 minutes or until cheese is browned, bubbling and the pasta is al dente.

Step Three. Let the pasta sit for about 5 minutes before serving. I like to enjoy mine with garlic bread.

Tips and FAQ's

Can I use a different pasta?

Yes, you can use a different pasta shape if you'd like.

How long will this last?

Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Can I use another cheese?

Yes, use any cheese you prefer, but I enjoy the fresh mozzarella best as it melts into the noodles throughout the dish giving it a cheesy texture.

Other Pasta Recipes To Make

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