Oh, you guys! I am SO excited to share this recipe with you today. If there’s one dish that just screams “home” and “cozy” to me, it’s this baked pasta. Seriously, it’s the ultimate classic comfort dish. My grandma used to make a version of this when I was a kid, and it was always the star of our Sunday dinners. What makes this one so special? It’s that perfect balance of tender pasta, a super flavorful meat sauce, and that creamy, cheesy ricotta layer that just melts in your mouth. It’s hearty, it’s satisfying, and it’s surprisingly easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!
Why You’ll Love This Classic Comfort Dish
This dish is a winner because:
- It’s incredibly easy to throw together.
- The flavors are just out-of-this-world delicious.
- It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for cozy family dinners.
- Leftovers are just as amazing, if not better!
Gathering Your Ingredients for the Classic Comfort Dish
Alright, let’s get our game faces on for this deliciousness! The secret to a truly amazing classic comfort dish like this baked pasta is starting with good, fresh ingredients. It really makes a difference, I promise! We’re talking about simple, wholesome stuff that comes together beautifully. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty straightforward, and you probably have most of it in your pantry already!
Pasta Choice for Your Classic Comfort Dish
For this recipe, I love using penne, rigatoni, or ziti. They’re all great because their tubes and ridges hold onto all that yummy sauce and cheese. Anything with a good texture works!
The Savory Meat Sauce Components
We’re building flavor here! You’ll need about a pound of ground beef or, even better, Italian sausage (it adds so much more zing!). Then we’ve got a chopped onion, some minced garlic for that essential aroma, and of course, those big cans of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to make it rich and saucy, seasoned with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
Creamy Ricotta Layer Ingredients
This is what makes it so dreamy! Just a cup of creamy ricotta cheese mixed with one large, beaten egg. That egg helps bind it all together and makes it super smooth.
Cheesy Topping Essentials
No baked pasta is complete without a glorious cheesy topping! We’ll use about half a cup of shredded mozzarella for that gooey melt and a quarter cup of grated Parmesan for a sharp, salty kick.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Classic Comfort Dish
Okay, let’s get this amazing classic comfort dish into the oven! It’s really not complicated, I promise. Just follow along, and you’ll have a bubbly, cheesy masterpiece in no time. Think of it like building a delicious flavor tower!
Preparing the Pasta and Sauce Base
First things first, get that oven preheated to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, cook your pasta according to the package directions – you want it nice and al dente, remember? Drain it well. Now, grab a big skillet and brown your ground meat with the chopped onion until it’s all cooked through. Drain off any extra grease, then toss in that minced garlic for just a minute until it smells amazing. Stir in your crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes to let those flavors get friendly.
Assembling the Layers of Your Classic Comfort Dish
Time for the fun part – layering! Grab your 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread about half of your cooked pasta on the bottom. Then, mix your ricotta cheese with the beaten egg until it’s smooth and creamy, and dollop half of that over the pasta. Spoon half of your savory meat sauce right on top of the ricotta. Now, sprinkle on half of your shredded mozzarella and all of that lovely grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat those layers: remaining pasta, the rest of the ricotta mixture, the rest of the meat sauce, and finally, top it all off with the remaining mozzarella.
Baking and Finishing Touches for the Classic Comfort Dish
Cover that glorious dish tightly with foil – this helps everything cook through evenly and steam nicely. Pop it into your preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Then, carefully remove the foil. This is when the magic happens! Let it bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly and maybe even a little golden brown on top. The most important part? Let it rest for at least 5 minutes before you dig in. It needs a moment to set, trust me!
Tips for Perfecting Your Classic Comfort Dish
Want to make this classic comfort dish absolutely perfect every time? A couple of my favorite tricks really elevate it! First, if you can swing it, using Italian sausage instead of ground beef adds a fantastic depth of flavor and a little spice that’s just divine. Also, don’t be afraid to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce if you like a little warmth – it wakes everything up! And remember, cook your pasta until it’s just al dente, because it’ll finish cooking in the oven, and nobody likes mushy pasta!
Variations to Personalize Your Classic Comfort Dish
Want to mix things up with your classic comfort dish? So easy! You can sneak in some extra veggies like chopped zucchini or bell peppers with your onions. Or, try adding a little fresh chopped parsley or a pinch of Italian seasoning to that creamy ricotta layer for even more flavor. It’s your kitchen, make it your own!
Serving and Storing Your Classic Comfort Dish
This classic comfort dish is amazing all on its own, but it’s also wonderful with a simple side salad and some crusty garlic bread. If you have leftovers (which I highly doubt!), just let it cool completely, then cover it tightly and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just pop a portion in the microwave or cover it with foil and warm it up in a low oven until heated through. Yum!
Frequently Asked Questions about Classic Comfort Dish
Q: Can I make this classic comfort dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the whole dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
Q: What kind of pasta is best for this baked pasta dish?
I really love using tube-shaped pasta like penne, rigatoni, or ziti because they’re perfect for holding all that delicious sauce and cheese. Just make sure it’s cooked al dente!
Q: Can I use a different kind of cheese?
You totally can! While mozzarella and Parmesan are classic for this baked pasta, feel free to experiment. Provolone or a Monterey Jack would also be delicious in the cheesy topping.
Q: How do I make this vegetarian?
It’s super easy! Just omit the meat and add extra veggies like sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the tomato sauce. You might want to add a little more seasoning to make up for the meat’s flavor.
Nutritional Estimate for Classic Comfort Dish
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info here is an estimate! It can totally change depending on the brands you use and exactly how you make it. Enjoy!
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Amazing Classic Comfort Dish: 10min Simmer
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and flavorful baked pasta dish, perfect for a weeknight meal or a family gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground meat with the chopped onion until no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and beaten egg.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the cooked pasta.
- Top with half of the ricotta mixture, then half of the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Ensure pasta is al dente before baking, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: baked pasta, comfort food, cheesy pasta, family dinner, Italian pasta