Easy Pasta Bake Recipe

This quick 5 minute pasta dinner is the perfect cheap meal for kids.

Sometimes I love making a fancy dinner with all the fixings….and other nights…well, I just don’t feel like cooking at all!  I got this easy dinner pasta recipe from my sister years and years ago and it soon became an instant hit in my house.  This is the perfect recipe for the nights when you just do not want to cook dinner.

It is full of yummy noodles and cheesy goodness, it also happens to be one of the quickest and easiest dinners I make.  So if you are needing a simple, budget friendly dinner idea, this is for you!  It is perfect for those busy evenings you need to throw something together quick!  I am pretty sure it is impossible to mess this recipe up!

The Best Easy Pasta Bake Recipe

This recipe is seriously the easiest thing you will ever make in your life!  Plus, it’s a huge hit for all ages.  Your kids will eat this up with huge smiles and won’t even be able to tell that it only took you 5 minutes of prep time!

The first thing you will need to do to make this easy pasta bake recipe is to gather all of your ingredients.  You will need:

• 1 box pasta (we like rotini or penne pasta best) (16 0z.)
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce (24 oz.)
• 1 jar water (about 12 oz.)
• Grated cheese ( I prefer mozzarella or parmesan) (about 1 cup)
• Optional Ingredients: 
  • Cooked meat: chicken, sausage, meatballs
  • Olives
  • Spinach
  • Mushrooms

To start the recipe off just grab your box of pasta and pour it into a casserole dish.  I usually use rotini or penne, but occasionally I will use macaroni pasta.  It just depends on what I have on hand. 

The best part about this recipe is that you don’t have to boil the pasta at all, which cuts the prep time down a lot!

Next you will need to pour a jar of spaghetti sauce and 12 oz. water over the pasta.  This is also the perfect time to add your optional meats and/or veggies.

Stir the pasta and add ins together, cover with a lid or tin foil and put it in the oven.

Your pasta bake will need to bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

• Related:  Easy Homemade Pizza Crust Recipe

After the pasta bakes for 20 minutes, take it out of the oven and sprinkle cheese evenly on top.  Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Once the cheese is nice and melted take your pasta bake out of the oven and enjoy!  Serve it with a nice salad and some fruit. 

Easy Pasta Bake

3 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 box pasta rotini or penne
• 24 oz. spaghetti sauce
• 12 oz. water
• veggies (optional) spinach, mushrooms or olives
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese parmesan works too
• cooked meats (optional) meatballs, chicken, or sausage

Instructions

 

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

  Stir pasta, spaghetti sauce, water and any other optional add ins together in a 9X13 casserole dish. 

  Bake it in the oven for 20 minutes. 

  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. 

  Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Easy Pasta Bake Recipe For The Win

Not only is this recipe easy, it is a family favorite, and it is super frugal friendly!  I make it every year during my January Pantry Challenge and I’m so happy to share it with all of you today!

Let me know if you make it and if you like it or not!

Want More Easy Recipes?

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Let me know if you try this easy pasta bake recipe!