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Easy Baked Pasta Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

This easy baked pasta recipe combines tender rotini pasta with creamy cottage cheese, spinach, and marinara sauce, topped with a melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese blend. Perfectly seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, this comforting casserole is baked until bubbly and golden brown, making it a family-friendly dinner option that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce

  • 16 oz. rotini pasta
  • 1 24 oz. jar of your favorite marinara

Cheese and Filling

  • 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and excess water squeezed out
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups cottage cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan

Seasonings

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼-½ tsp crushed red pepper
  • ½ tsp cracked pepper
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta casserole.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Mix Cheese and Seasoning: In a separate bowl, combine the egg, cottage cheese, grated parmesan, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, cracked pepper, and sea salt. Stir until well mixed. Fold in the squeezed spinach.
  4. Combine Pasta and Cheese Mixture: Add the cooked pasta into the cheese and spinach mixture, stirring thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly.
  5. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with oil. Spread about half of the marinara sauce in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
  6. Layer Pasta: Pour the pasta mixture over the marinara sauce and spread it out evenly.
  7. Add Remaining Sauce: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta layer and spread evenly. If not baking immediately, cover the pan and refrigerate at this point.
  8. Bake Pasta: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the dish is bubbly.
  9. Add Cheese Topping: Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella evenly over the top, then return to the oven to bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and begins to turn golden brown.
  10. Cool and Garnish: Let the baked pasta cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired.
  11. Storage: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • Be sure to squeeze out excess water from frozen spinach to avoid a watery casserole.
  • If using fresh spinach, sauté lightly before adding to the cheese mixture.
  • You can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper to your preferred spice level or omit for mild flavor.
  • For a richer flavor, add a splash of cream or ricotta cheese to the cheese mixture.
  • This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/easy-baked-pasta-recipe/