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Home » All Recipes » Main Entrées

Published: Apr 18, 2022 by AmyG Modified On: Apr 18, 2022

Amazing Baked Pasta Recipes For Any Diet

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Baked Pasta recipes are a staple in every family. From Baked Ziti, baked spaghetti, baked pasta and Italian sausage, chicken alfredo, to a cheese baked chicken casserole.

Baked pasta recipes use a variety of sauces like meat sauce, alfredo sauce or just a plane tomato sauce. Stuffed shells, a pasta bake or lasagna are baked to perfection and become comfort food to dine on.

Jump to:
  • How Long to Cook Pasta?
  • Pre-Cooking Pasta vs Oven Ready Pasta
  • How to Prepare Pasta for a Pasta Bake
  • Pasta Sauce Options
  • How to Re-heat Oven Baked Pasta
  • How to Store or Freeze Oven Baked Pasta
  • Meaty Baked Pasta Dishes
  • Gluten Free Pasta Bake Recipes
  • Keto Baked Pasta Dishes
  • Seafood Pasta Bake Recipes
  • Vegan Pasta Bake Recipes
  • Vegetarian Pasta Bake Ideas
  • Other Pasta Recipes
  • PIN it Here
Oven Baked Pasta Dishes for Any Occasion

How Long to Cook Pasta?

Most important is that you always follow the manufacturers instructions and don't assume that every pasta will cook in the same amount of time.

Pasta made with different ingredients such as beans, spelt, wheat, potato will take different times to cook. For example, potato gnocchi will cook in 2 to 3 minutes, while white glutenous pasta will take roughly 8 to 10 minutes to cook.

The best guidance I can give you when cooking pasta is to check the doneness every couple of minutes. Once it is almost cooked, but "al dente", it's time to drain the pasta.

Never rinse pasta or put olive oil in the water. The gluten on the pasta helps to coat the pasta with the sauce that you are using. It's like the glue that helps the sauce stick to your pasta. So do not rinse your pasta no matter how tempted you are to do so.

Pasta water is like gold. Always reserve about a cup of the pasta water when draining the pasta as it can help to loosen the pasta up, if it clumps together, past water will help coat the pasta with your sauce.

Pre-Cooking Pasta vs Oven Ready Pasta

There are some pasta products that are oven ready. I recommend that whenever possible buy oven ready products because it will make putting together your meal a lot easier and quicker.

As always, check the manufacturers instructions on whether the pasta needs to be cooked or not before putting in the oven.

Most "oven ready" pasta will have writing right on the front of the package indicating that the past is "oven ready" and doesn't require pre-boiling.

How to Prepare Pasta for a Pasta Bake

To prepare your pasta for a pasta bake, determine if your past needs to be pre-boiled or is oven ready.

If your pasta requires pre-boiling, remember to salt your water generously and remove the pasta when it is "al dente".

Al dente just means that the pasta isn't fully cooked and is still hard. The pasta has a "bite". Don't worry that the pasta isn't fully cooked because it will finish cooking in the oven.

If your pasta is "oven ready", remember to add more liquid to the casserole so that the pasta has liquid to absorb and cook. If there isn't enough liquid, the pasta may burn on the bottom or it will not cook and be hard and very dry.

Pasta Sauce Options

There's nothing better than making your own homemade pasta sauces. Whether you like red sauce, a creamy alfredo sauce or a meaty bolognese sauce, there's always something to be said about making your own sauces for pasta recipes.

Here are a few options for easy to make pasta sauce recipes:

  • Marinara Tomato Pasta Sauce
  • Pesto Sauce, Dairy Free Pesto Sauce
  • Bolognese Sauce
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Carbonaro Sauce
  • Tomato Ricotta Sauce

How to Re-heat Oven Baked Pasta

The best part about oven baked pasta dishes is the leftovers. Leftovers make great work lunches. Place any leftovers in a microwave safe container so that you can easily microwave to re-heat and eat.

Oven baked pasta can also be warmed up in a frypan with a little bit of vegetable or olive oil. The best part about warming it up in a frypan is getting the bottom all crispy. Yum!

How to Store or Freeze Oven Baked Pasta

If you have a lot of leftovers, you can also store your oven baked pasta in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Or you can place it in a freezer safe container and freeze it.

With the exception of an oven baked pasta made with cream sauce, all other oven baked pasta dishes should keep well in the freezer.

Consume any frozen leftover oven baked pasta dishes within one month of freezing. Thaw out overnight in the refrigerator before warming up.

Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.

For Canadian Guidelines check Government of Canada's Food and Safety Guidelines for further information and resources.

Meaty Baked Pasta Dishes

Lasagna on a plate

Baked Lasagna with Ground Beef

by: AmyG

Easy Homemade Recipes

Get Recipe Details

An authentic Italian Lasagna bake recipe using ground beef. This lasagna recipe is hearty and filled with multiple protein sources including a delicious meat sauce, hard boiled egg and mozzarella cheese.

Chicken Pasta Bake in a Baking tray

Baked Pasta with Chicken

by: Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

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This baked pasta is comfort food at its finest. Filled with chunks of chicken, penne pasta, chopped tomatoes all wrapped up in a creamy cheese sauce. Make this ahead of time and pop in the oven before dinner. 

Baked Pasta Meatballs in a baking dish

Baked Meatball Pasta

by: Sandra @ She's Not Cookin

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Baked Ziti with Meatballs is an easy weeknight dinner that you can have on the table quickly. Using homemade or store-bought meatballs, this cheesy casserole will soon become a family favorite!

Pasta in a white plate

Baked Rigatoni Pasta in the Oven

By: AmyG

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Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake is similar to a lasagna but uses small pasta rounds in place of long sheets of lasagna noodles. The concept is the same as a traditional lasagna and is just as hearty. Made with ground beef sauce, hard boiled eggs and lots of mozzarella.

baked ziti with sausage in a baking pan

Baked Pasta with Sausage

by: Melanie @ Garnish & Glaze

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Baked Ziti with Sweet Italian Sausage is a dinner the whole family will love! This flavorful dish can be made ahead of time and is great for sharing with guests and taking to those in need.

TikTok Baked Feta Pasta in a white dish

TikTok Baked Feta Chicken Pasta

by: Laura @ The Recipe Well

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Baked Feta Chicken Pasta is a quick dinner made with a handful of simple, fresh ingredients. Inspired by the viral TikTok baked feta pasta, you’ll love this higher protein version with chicken!

Gluten Free Pasta Bake Recipes

riso al forno on a plate

Baked Rice in the Oven

by: AmyG

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This Riso al Forno, baked rice in the oven is a great option if you are gluten intolerant. Similar to baked lasagna, this oven baked rice is a great substitute for gluten pasta and is very hearty. You can make this oven ready dish earlier in the day and then bake it about one hour before you want to eat.

Baked Keto Pasta in a White Plate

Keto Spinach Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

by: Lyndsay @ Officially Gluten Free

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This creamy Spinach Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is an easy to make low carb and keto alternative to traditional macaroni and cheese. Steamed cauliflower is mixed with fresh spinach and covered in a white cheesy sauce. Then it’s smothered with mozzarella cheese and crispy bacon. It’s a delicious way to sneak in some extra vegetables into your families diet.

baked zitti in a white plate

Gluten Free Vegan Baked Pasta Pie

by: Sonia @ Sweet Sensitive Free

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This gluten free vegan baked pasta pie is a scrumptious first course made with dairy free bechamel and a super simple lentil ragu!

Gluten Free Lasagna in a Baking Tray

Gluten Free Lasagna Recipe

by: Megan @ A Dash of Megnut

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This gluten-free lasagna is a delicious and filling dinner classic packed with Italian seasoning, herbs, and three types of cheeses. With just 20 minutes of prep and minimal effort, this homemade beef lasagna will leave you happy, full, and excited for leftovers.

Keto Baked Pasta Dishes

Baked Keto Spaghetti Dish in a white plate

Baked Keto Spaghetti Bake Recipe

by: Annie @ Ketofocus

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This scrumptious baked keto spaghetti casserole will give you something different to eat for dinner.  With the zesty Italian seasonings, marinara sauce and two different cheeses, this keto baked spaghetti gives you the option of having spaghetti for dinner any night with this keto freezer meal.

Seafood Pasta Bake Recipes

Seafood Mac and Cheese in a pyrex dish

Seafood Macaroni and Cheese

by: Marissa @ Rae Gun Ramblings

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The cheesy goodness in this seafood macaroni and cheese past bake is a delicious twist on traditional macaroni and cheese but still easy enough for weeknight dinners. It’s total comfort food with a little flair. You will love the smoothness of the cheese and the crunch of the topping.

Fresh Salmon Baked Pasta in a grey dish

Fresh and Delicious Salmon Baked Pasta

by: Erica @ Erica Recipes

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Cheesy, comforting, Fresh Salmon Casserole. Kids love the shell-shaped pasta. I love the fresh salmon. This salmon casserole recipe with crackers is easy for a weeknight and even the leftovers are SO GOOD.

Tuna Baked Pasta Casserole in a blue plate

Tuna Baked Pasta Casserole

Joss @ In the Kitch

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Tuna casserole with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, shell pasta and a creamy, tomato-pesto Alfredo sauce.

Vegan Pasta Bake Recipes

Vegan Pasta Bake in a white dish

Vegan Pasta Bake for the Whole Family

by: Cindy @ Veggie Fun Kitchen

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Made with your favorite vegan sausage, pasta, and sauce…along with a few other ingredients, this Vegan Pasta Bake is pure nostalgia and creamy delicious. It will remind you of the pasta bake casserole of your childhood – only made vegan!

Easy Vegan Pasta Bake

by: Amy @ Veggies Save the Day

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Vegan Pasta Bake is a delicious casserole that's ready in an hour. Add your favorite vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms to make it a complete meal. If you enjoy lasagna but want an easier option, this is the recipe for you.

Vegan Baked Spaghetti in a baking dish

Vegan Baked Spaghetti Casserole

by: Petranka @ Sunglow Kitchen

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If you are searching for some new family dinner ideas, this recipe will be your next favorite! It's cozy, hearty, and is a real crowd-pleaser!

Baked pasta is usually made with pre-cooked pasta that gets tossed in meat and tomato sauce. Then it's topped with lots of cheese and baked until golden.

Vegetarian Pasta Bake Ideas

Stuffed Shells in a white casserole

Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Broccoli

by: Chef Mireille @ Global Kitchen Travels

Get Recipe Details

Vegetarian Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Broccoli is a delicious and scrumptious dinner for Meatless Monday. Three types of cheese, pasta and marinara sauce – what’s not to love? With broccoli added, this makes a healthy comfort food meal for any day of the week.

Manicotti in a baking dish

Ricotta Cheese Manicotti Recipe

by: AmyG

Get Recipe Details

This recipe for homemade Cheese Manicotti will not disappoint you or your loved ones. Made with fresh pasta, ricotta, eggs and fresh tomato sauce, this recipe for cannelloni will be a winner any night of the week or the weekend.

Eggplant Parmigiana in a white plate

Baked Eggplant Parmiggiana

by: AmyG

Get Recipe Details

This healthy baked eggplant parmesan or eggplant parmigiana made from crispy eggplant slices is better than Olive Garden eggplant parmesan.

Baked eggplant slices are layered with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese making this a delicious meal that is also nutritious and a vegetarian eggplant parmigiana.

Mushroom and Spinach Pasta Bake

Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake

by: Christine @ Jar of Lemons

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When homestyle cooking, comfort food, and healthy ingredients come together like this Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake did, it’s a total celebration in our household!

Baked Pasta with Broccoli on a blue plate

Baked Pasta with Broccoli

Jen @ Inspiring Savings

Get Recipe Details

This Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Bake is a great easy weeknight meal or side dish. Perfect for a family dinner or get-together. No cream soups are needed for this simple take on a classic recipe! You can use frozen broccoli florets instead of roasting fresh broccoli to make it even faster. 

Other Pasta Recipes

  • Penne Pasta with Tomato Ricotta Sauce
  • Gluten Free Gnocchi
  • The Best Italian Arancini di Riso (Rice Balls)
  • Easy Seafood Risotto

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Oven Baked Pasta Dishes for Any Occasion
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Hey, I'm Amy! And I'm so happy you're here!! So many of my favorite memories in life seem to take place around the table, especially when surrounded by the people I love. And of course, all the better when nourished by some seriously delicious food.

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Picture of Amy in the Kitchen

Hey, I'm Amy! And I'm so happy you're here!! So many of my favorite memories in life seem to take place around the table, especially when surrounded by the people I love. And of course, all the better when nourished by some seriously delicious food.

Stick around and explore the site to get great ideas.

Learn more about me →

This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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What are you waiting for? Sign up now and get a free Recipe ebook with 5 recipes using puff pasty !

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