Description
A quick and easy recipe for a hearty pasta bake that requires minimal prep and delivers delicious flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked pasta (e.g., penne or rotini)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked protein of choice (chicken, turkey, or beans for a vegetarian twist)
- ½ cup fresh spinach (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, cooked protein, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If using spinach, add it now for extra greens.
- Drizzle olive oil on top and mix until everything is well coated.
- Transfer the mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve hot with a fresh green salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Lazy Dinners, easy recipes, pasta bake, weeknight meals, one-pot meals