Top 33 Baked Pasta Recipes for Simple Weeknight Dinners

These baked pasta dishes turn simple ingredients into comforting family meals everyone will love. From creamy casseroles to cheesy lasagnas, each recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, these recipes prove that pasta bakes are the ultimate comfort food solution.

01. Creamy Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole

This version combines tender chicken with pesto, spinach, and cherry tomatoes in a creamy sauce. The flavors meld together beautifully during baking.

The casserole actually tastes even better the next day when all ingredients have time to blend. This makes it perfect for meal prep.

This recipe serves twelve people, so you’ll have plenty of leftovers for busy weeknights. Great for feeding large families or potluck dinners.

02. Buttery Garlic Shrimp Pasta Bake

This seafood dish features shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce with lemon and cheese. Cherry tomatoes add bright color and fresh flavor.

You can easily customize this bake by adding spinach, mushrooms, or other favorite vegetables. The buttery sauce works with any additions.

This method takes about an hour from start to finish. Perfect for special occasions when you want something elegant but simple.

03. Quick Creamy Pasta Bake with Fresh Basil

This creamy dish combines pasta with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for bright, summery flavors. The cream sauce keeps everything moist and rich.

You can prep the entire casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. This makes dinner prep incredibly easy.

Ready in under an hour, this version works great for busy weeknights. The simple ingredients create surprisingly complex flavors when baked together.

04. Cheesy Artichoke Spinach Lasagna

This vegetarian lasagna layers spinach, artichokes, and creamy sauce with mozzarella and feta cheese. Even picky eaters love this combination.

You can use either frozen or fresh spinach depending on what you have available. Both options work equally well in this recipe.

This method creates a veggie-packed meal that feels indulgent. Great for families trying to eat more vegetables without sacrificing taste.

05. Simple Three Cheese Pasta Bake

This easy dish uses ground beef, pasta sauce, and three types of cheese for maximum flavor. Provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan create the perfect blend.

You can add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or peppers to make it more nutritious. The cheese mixture works with any additions.

This version uses simple pantry ingredients most families already have. Perfect for those nights when you need dinner fast.

06. Savory Pumpkin Pasta Bake

This fall-inspired dish combines pumpkin puree with Italian sausage, bacon, and cream for rich, seasonal flavors. Red pepper flakes add gentle heat.

The pumpkin creates a creamy, slightly sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with savory ingredients. Parmesan cheese adds sharpness to balance everything.

This method shows pumpkin works great in savory dishes, not just desserts. Great for using up leftover pumpkin puree from holiday baking.

07. Spicy Crawfish Fettuccine Bake

This Cajun-inspired dish features crawfish, bell peppers, and tomatoes in a creamy, spiced sauce. The heat level works for the whole family.

The Cajun cream sauce brings all the flavors together while keeping the pasta moist during baking. Fettuccine holds the sauce perfectly.

This version brings Louisiana flavors to your dinner table. Perfect for families who enjoy a little spice in their meals.

08. Rich Marry Me Chicken Pasta Bake

This popular dish combines tender chicken in a creamy, herb-filled sauce that lives up to its romantic name. The flavors are absolutely incredible.

The sauce gets rich and bubbly during baking, creating an irresistible coating on every piece of pasta. Sun-dried tomatoes add tangy sweetness.

This method creates restaurant-quality results at home. Great for date nights or when you want to impress dinner guests.

09. Healthy Paleo Spaghetti Squash Pie

This grain-free version uses spaghetti squash instead of pasta with ground turkey and vegetables. Nobody misses the gluten or dairy.

The spaghetti squash creates natural “noodles” that hold the sauce beautifully. Pizza sauce and vegetables keep it flavorful and satisfying.

This approach works great for paleo or low-carb diets. Perfect for families with dietary restrictions who still want comfort food.

10. Elegant Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna

This creative dish transforms classic chicken cordon bleu into lasagna form with layers of chicken, ham, and cream cheese sauce.

Breadcrumbs on top create the crispy coating you expect from traditional cordon bleu. The cream cheese sauce keeps everything rich.

This method takes more time but creates impressive results. Great for special occasions when you want something truly unique.

11. Gourmet Sausage Mushroom Lasagna

This version features homemade bechamel sauce with butter, flour, milk, and nutmeg. Italian sausage and cremini mushrooms add hearty flavors.

The bechamel sauce creates incredibly creamy layers that taste better than traditional ricotta-based lasagnas. You can adjust sausage heat levels.

This approach takes more effort but delivers restaurant-quality results. Perfect for cooks who want to try advanced techniques.

12. Roasted Tomato Ditalini with Goat Cheese

This dish features Chef John’s incredible roasted tomato sauce made with whole plum tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. The roasting intensifies all flavors.

Goat cheese melts into the hot pasta and sauce, creating creamy pockets throughout the dish. Red pepper flakes add subtle heat.

This method elevates simple ingredients into something special. Great for cooks who appreciate restaurant-quality sauces at home.

13. Layered Ziti Bake with Sausage

This baked ziti gets layered like lasagna with mild sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. The layers create beautiful presentation.

Fresh basil instead of dried makes a huge difference in flavor according to reviewers. The herbs brighten the rich cheese layers.

This version combines the best of ziti and lasagna in one dish. Perfect for families who can’t decide between the two.

14. Smoky Bacon Pasta Bake

This indulgent dish features bacon in a creamy sauce with tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese. Every bite is rich.

The sauce balances smoky, salty, sweet, and spicy flavors perfectly. Tomato paste adds depth while red pepper brings gentle heat.

This method creates an incredibly satisfying comfort food dish. Great for cold nights when you need something warming and filling.

15. Fun Taco Spaghetti Bake

This creative dish transforms Taco Tuesday into a pasta bake using taco meat, corn, and taco sauce instead of marinara.

Traditional taco toppings like cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips finish the dish. It tastes like tacos and pasta combined.

This approach gives families a fun twist on both tacos and pasta night. Perfect for kids who love Mexican flavors.

16. Creamy Vegan Portobello Stroganoff

This plant-based version uses portobello mushrooms and vegan sour cream to recreate classic stroganoff flavors. Even meat lovers enjoy it.

Vegan bouillon adds rich, savory depth while the mushrooms provide meaty texture. The cream sauce tastes surprisingly authentic.

This method works great for vegan families missing traditional comfort foods. Perfect for introducing plant-based meals to skeptical eaters.

17. Classic Baked Ziti

This traditional recipe combines ground beef, cheese, and pasta in a simple, satisfying dish. Sour cream makes the sauce extra creamy.

The addition of sour cream sets this version apart from others. It creates a richer, tangier sauce that complements the beef.

Ready in under an hour, this method delivers classic comfort food fast. Great for busy families who want reliable, tasty dinners.

18. Luxurious Lobster Mac and Cheese

This restaurant-quality dish combines tender lobster with rich, cheesy sauce for an incredibly decadent meal. The flavors are absolutely amazing.

Despite seeming fancy and difficult, this recipe comes together in just one hour. The technique is simpler than you’d expect.

This version creates perfect date night dinners at home. Great for special occasions when you want to impress someone special.

19. Loaded Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

This popular combination features chicken, bacon, and ranch flavors with cream cheese and Monterey Jack for maximum richness. Every bite satisfies.

The cream cheese melts into the sauce, creating incredible creaminess throughout the dish. Ranch seasoning ties all flavors together perfectly.

This method combines three beloved flavors into one amazing dish. Perfect for families who love bold, familiar taste combinations.

20. Quick Sausage Mushroom Pasta Bake

This dish features creamy white sauce made with mushrooms, sausage, and heavy cream. Baby portobello mushrooms add earthy, rich flavors.

The sausage fat gets incorporated into the sauce for extra flavor. Reviewers recommend mixing cheese into the pot before topping.

Ready in just over thirty minutes, this method works great for weeknights. Perfect when you need something quick but satisfying.

21. Spiced Rigatoni with Sausage and Fennel

This dish balances hot sausage with sweet fennel, roasted red peppers, and onions. The spice level works for kids and adults.

The fennel adds subtle licorice notes that complement the sausage perfectly. Roasted peppers bring sweetness to balance the heat.

This version packs plenty of vegetables into a kid-friendly dish. Great for families trying to eat more veggies without complaints.

22. Comforting Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

This creative dish captures all the cozy flavors of chicken pot pie in an easy pasta bake format.

The familiar pot pie seasonings and vegetables translate perfectly to pasta form. It tastes like childhood comfort in every bite.

This method feeds a crowd in a 9×13 pan. Perfect for potlucks or feeding large families with minimal effort required.

23. Easy Three Cheese Manicotti

This dish stuffs manicotti shells with mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese for triple the cheesy goodness. The filling stays creamy.

Instead of boiling noodles first, just soak them in warm water briefly. They finish cooking in the oven perfectly.

This method makes stuffing manicotti much easier than traditional recipes. Great for cooks who want impressive results without fussy techniques.

24. Simple Unstuffed Shells Bake

This version combines all stuffed shell flavors without the work of actually stuffing shells. Ground beef marinara meets ricotta mixture.

The dish delivers all the comfort of stuffed shells with much less effort. Parmesan and ricotta create the perfect cheese blend.

This approach works great for weeknight dinners and potlucks. Perfect when you want classic flavors without time-consuming assembly.

25. Fresh Vine Tortellini Bake

This dish features homemade tomato sauce using fresh cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and spicy pesto. The sauce tastes incredibly fresh.

Making your own sauce with cherry tomatoes creates bright, summery flavors. Pesto adds herby richness that complements the tomatoes.

Ready in just forty minutes, this method celebrates fresh ingredients. Perfect for summer when tomatoes and basil are at their peak.

26. No-Ricotta Sausage Stuffed Shells

This version skips ricotta entirely, stuffing shells with mozzarella, Italian sausage, and dried seasonings. The filling stays simple but flavorful.

Without ricotta, the shells have a different texture that many people prefer. Marinara sauce keeps everything moist during baking.

This method works great for people who don’t enjoy ricotta cheese. Perfect for families with picky eaters who prefer simpler flavors.

27. Pantry Staple Ravioli Bake

This simple dish uses frozen ravioli with Italian sausage, spaghetti sauce, and diced tomatoes. Beef broth adds extra richness.

Italian dressing and a touch of sugar create surprisingly complex flavors from basic ingredients. The combination works better than expected.

With only ten minutes prep time, this method saves busy weeknights. Perfect for those nights when you need dinner fast.

28. Low-Carb Zucchini Lasagna

This version uses thinly sliced zucchini instead of pasta noodles while keeping all traditional lasagna flavors. The zucchini works perfectly.

You still get meat, cheese, and sauce in every bite. The zucchini adds nutrition while reducing carbs significantly.

This method works great for low-carb and gluten-free diets. Perfect for pasta lovers who want to eat healthier without sacrificing taste.

29. Ultra-Creamy Navy Style Mac and Cheese

This version uses three types of cheese plus sour cream to prevent any chance of drying out. The result is incredibly rich.

You can top with Ritz crackers instead of saltines for different texture, or skip crackers entirely. Both options work well.

This method creates the creamiest mac and cheese possible. Perfect for families who want restaurant-quality comfort food at home.

30. Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

This version roasts zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions before layering into lasagna. The roasting intensifies all vegetable flavors.

Roasting the vegetables first removes excess moisture and creates golden, tender pieces. The extra step makes a huge difference.

You can customize with any vegetables you prefer. This method works with whatever seasonal produce you have available.

31. Five-Ingredient Cheater Baked Ziti

This super simple version uses just five ingredients: ziti, hot sausage, spaghetti sauce, Alfredo sauce, and Italian cheese blend.

No measuring required since you use entire packages of each ingredient. The prep time is virtually zero with maximum flavor.

This method works perfectly for busy nights when you need dinner fast. Great for new cooks who want foolproof results.

32. Individual Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

These roll-ups stuff lasagna noodles with garlic, ricotta, mozzarella, and spinach before topping with sauce and Parmesan cheese.

The individual portions make serving easy and look impressive on the plate. Each person gets perfectly portioned roll-ups.

This method works great for meatless meals that still satisfy. Perfect for families trying to eat less meat without complaints.

33. Summer Squash Chicken Alfredo

This dish uses abundant zucchini and yellow squash with chicken in creamy Alfredo sauce. Great for using up garden vegetables.

You can use jarred Alfredo or make your own with just six ingredients. Homemade sauce tastes better according to reviewers.

This version helps use up summer squash abundance. Perfect for gardeners who need creative ways to use their harvest.

Final Thoughts

These pasta bakes prove that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. From quick weeknight solutions to impressive dinner party dishes, there’s something here for every occasion and skill level.

Start with simpler recipes and work your way up to more complex dishes as your confidence grows in the kitchen.