No Boil Pasta Bake
Looking for a weeknight dinner that practically makes itself? 🍝 This easy no-boil pasta bake is your new go-to! Forget boiling water — just layer uncooked pasta with sauce, cheese, and your favorite add-ins in one casserole dish and bake. Cleanup is a breeze, and the flavors are cozy and comforting. You can easily make this into a baked pasta and sausage simply by adding sausage.
Calories: 713kcal
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce package of uncooked penne pasta
- 1 24 or 25 ounces jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 26-ounce package of fully-cooked meatballs (if using frozen meatballs, make sure that they are completely thawed before using)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- Optional: Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Add pasta, marinara, garlic salt and water to a 9Ă—13-inch casserole dish. Stir to combine.
- Add meatballs on top of pasta. Do not stir.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 40 minutes.
- Uncover and test for doneness. Test to be sure that it is al dente (firm but just about finished cooking). If it’s still not cooked through, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is al dente. Then move on to the next step.
- Remove from the oven and uncover. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes (or until cheese is melted and pasta is tender)
Notes
- If your pasta is sticking up above the sauce level, it isn’t going to cook. Push all the pasta down under the liquid. Add a little more water, if necessary.
- Thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator before adding them to the casserole.
Pick a high-quality, flavorful marinara sauce. I prefer Rao’s brand, but any similar variety will work. - Store in an airtight container, or if using the original baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for 3 to 4 days. If the pasta looks dry, add water when reheating, because the pasta will continue to absorb sauce.
- Serve with garlic French bread and salad.
Nutrition
Calories: 713kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 187mg | Sodium: 3778mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1520IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 1156mg | Iron: 1mg
