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Delicious Easy Budget Friendly Pasta Bake served in a casserole dish, perfect for families.

Easy Budget Friendly Pasta Bake

A cozy, filling, and ridiculously simple pasta bake that uses affordable ingredients and is flexible to accommodate what you have on hand.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti) Use whatever pasta shape you have.
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz) Choose your favorite brand.
  • 1 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella Use more if you love cheesy tops.
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan Optional but adds flavor.
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey Optional; can substitute with lentils or beans.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder Or use 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt and pepper Adjust based on preference.
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 cup frozen spinach Great way to add nutrition.
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini Use whatever veggies you have.
  • 1 cup mushrooms Fresh or frozen.
  • 1 cup bell peppers Diced; any color will work.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil your pasta in salted water until slightly underdone, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
  2. If using meat, brown it in a pan with salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess grease if needed.
  3. Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked meat, or simply warm the sauce separately if skipping meat.
  4. Mix the pasta with the marinara sauce in a large bowl or directly in the baking dish. Stir in a handful of mozzarella.
  5. Top the mixture with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly. Optionally broil for 1 to 2 minutes for a browned cheesy top, but keep an eye on it.

Notes

This dish reheats wonderfully, making it perfect for leftovers. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake later, or freeze portions for an easy meal later on. Customize with toppings like red pepper flakes or chopped parsley for an added treat.