Cheesy Baked Pasta Easy Family Dinner
Cheesy baked pasta is a creamy, oven-baked dish made with pasta, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella.It’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners.Ready in under 45 minutes with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta penne, rotini, or ziti
- 4 cups tomato pasta sauce 32 ounces
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 3 to 4 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta in a large pot about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In another pot, cook ground meat (if using) until browned.
- Add tomato pasta sauce and bring to a boil.
- Stir in cream cheese until fully melted and smooth. Reduce heat and simmer.
- Combine pasta with sauce, mixing until evenly coated.
- Grease a 3-quart baking dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture in the dish.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add remaining pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake the cheesy baked pasta for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For a meatless version, simply skip the meat and add roasted vegetables.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.