Best 5 Easy 4 Ingredient Pasta Bake Recipes
Indulge in the culinary delight of this easy 4-ingredient pasta bake, a simple yet satisfying dish that caters to both convenience and flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a comforting and delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This recipe features a medley of tender pasta, creamy cheese sauce, succulent chicken, and a flavorful blend of seasonings, all baked to perfection. Alongside the classic pasta bake, the article also presents two exciting variations: a vegetarian delight with roasted vegetables and a cheesy spinach and bacon twist. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this versatile recipe offers a hassle-free culinary journey that leads to a mouthwatering pasta bake experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PASTA BAKE RECIPE
This Pasta Bake recipe is an easy make-ahead meal that can be made with ziti, rigatoni, or penne. It's tossed in a meaty marinara sauce and topped with a cheesy ricotta mixture and mozzarella cheese.
Provided by Stephanie
Categories Main Course
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Note: This recipe uses a lot of sauce, but the pasta absorbs a lot of it when it bakes. We don't want dry pasta.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine the Ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and 1 cup (not all) mozzarella cheese and set aside.
- Begin boiling the pasta water while you cook the meat for the sauce. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente, then drain. (Be sure to time it exactly so that you don't end up with mushy pasta.)
- Cook and crumble the ground beef and diced onions over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt/pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the marinara sauce. Stir to combine and heat through. Remove from heat.
- Combine the drained pasta with about ¾ of the sauce mixture and transfer it to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture over the top, then the rest of the meat sauce.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and top with remaining 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese. Increase oven temp to 400 and bake uncovered for 10-15 more minutes, until the top begins to bubble and brown.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with garlic bread with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 523 kcal, Carbohydrate 53 g, Protein 36 g, Fat 19 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 149 mg, Sodium 1391 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
4 INGREDIENT CHICKEN PASTA CASSEROLE
This quick chicken pasta casserole is made with just 4 ingredients in under 30 minutes and makes the perfect comforting weeknight meal!
Provided by Layla
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Combine pre-cooked pasta, chicken, and marinara sauce; Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Top with the shredded mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly.
- Serve Hot, Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving, Calories 425 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 34 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Sodium 252 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g
PASTA BAKE
Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt liberally.
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and onions and saute, stirring, for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, drop the pasta in the boiling water and cook 3 to 4 minutes less than the package instructions.
- Add the crushed tomatoes to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. When simmering, stir in any add-ins if desired.
- Drain the pasta and mix it into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a baking dish and top with the provolone or mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes.
ITALIAN PASTA BAKE
I love to make this pasta bake whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that's missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.-Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Add to beef mixture and gently stir in sliced plum tomatoes. , Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 20g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 702mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 32g protein.
EASY ITALIAN BAKED PASTA
Combine Parmesan and mozzarella to give this pasta bake its Italian appeal. This Easy Italian Pasta Bake is oven-ready in 20 minutes.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings, 1-1/3 cups each
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Brown meat in large skillet; drain. Return to skillet. Add pasta, pasta sauce and half the Parmesan; mix well.
- Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheeses.
- Bake 20 min. or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420, Fat 11 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Sodium 790 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 31 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for ripe vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality pasta.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for a pasta bake. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This will add flavor, color, and nutrients to your dish. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and spinach.
- Don't skimp on the cheese: Cheese is what makes a pasta bake so rich and gooey. Use a good quality cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan.
- Bake the pasta bake until it's golden brown: This will ensure that the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pasta is cooked through.
Conclusion:
This easy 4-ingredient pasta bake is a quick and easy weeknight meal that's sure to please the whole family. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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