This baked pasta with ricotta transforms classic lasagna flavors into an easier, weeknight-friendly casserole. Savory ground beef, nicely seasoned marinara, al dente pasta, and a creamy ricotta-cream cheese-parmesan mixture are layered and baked until bubbly. It’s simple to prepare—just a few straightforward steps will get dinner on the table.
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The Best Baked Pasta with Ricotta
If you enjoy ricotta and the comforting layers of lasagna, this baked pasta is a perfect alternative—still rich and cheesy, but faster and easier to assemble.
The dish combines classic Italian flavors, a creamy four-cheese mixture, and a hearty meat sauce for a satisfying family meal.
This version uses mafaldine noodles for extra texture, but you can substitute ziti, penne, or other short pasta with excellent results.
Ingredients Needed
You only need a handful of common ingredients to make this baked pasta—many are pantry staples.
- Ground beef – I used a beef/pork mix. Ground turkey or Italian sausage work well, or omit meat for a vegetarian version.
- Onion – 1 cup yellow onion, chopped.
- Garlic – 2 cloves, minced.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Marinara sauce – about 2 cups, your preferred jarred or homemade sauce.
- Italian seasoning – 1 tablespoon to flavor the sauce.
- Pasta – 16 oz mafaldine, ziti, or another short pasta.
- Cream cheese – 1/4 cup, softened.
- Ricotta cheese – about 200 g.
- Parmesan – 1 cup, grated.
- Mozzarella – 1 cup, shredded.
- Fresh basil for garnish.
Simple, familiar ingredients that combine into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
How To Make Baked Pasta with Ricotta
1. Cook the meat sauce. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large nonstick skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic; season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning and simmer briefly to meld flavors.
2. Cook the pasta. Boil pasta in well-salted water until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and combine the pasta with the meat sauce so the noodles are evenly coated.
3. Prepare the cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, softened cream cheese, and grated parmesan until smooth and well combined.
4. Assemble the casserole. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread half of the pasta-sauce mixture across the bottom, smooth the ricotta-cream mixture over it, then top with the remaining pasta. Finish by sprinkling shredded mozzarella over the top.
5. Bake and serve. Bake uncovered at 350°F for about 35 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the top is melted and bubbly. Let rest a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
Serving Recommendations
This baked pasta pairs well with garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal. For lighter fare, serve alongside a simple mixed greens salad dressed with lemon and olive oil. The casserole is hearty enough to be the star of the plate.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole up to the baking step, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and refrigerate overnight. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time when ready to cook.
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze the assembled (unbaked) casserole or leftovers wrapped in two layers of foil or in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, longer if reheating from frozen or still cold in the center. Check that it’s hot throughout before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Baked Pasta with Ricotta
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly undercooking the pasta prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Drain excess fat: After browning meat, drain any excess grease so the casserole won’t be oily.
- Use a good marinara: A well-seasoned sauce makes a big difference—use a quality jarred sauce or your own homemade marinara.
- Spread the cheese evenly: An even layer of the ricotta-cream mixture ensures creamy bites throughout.
- Let it rest: Allow the casserole to sit about 10 minutes after baking to set the layers for easier serving.
- Customize freely: Swap pasta shapes, use different ground meats, or add sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Finish with fresh herbs: Basil or parsley adds color and a bright finish.
More Recipes
- Million Dollar Spaghetti
- French Onion Pasta
- Tomato Paste Pasta
- Cream Cheese Pasta
- The Bear spaghetti
Quick and Easy Baked Pasta With Ricotta
This baked pasta with ricotta cheese takes lasagna to a whole new level. A mix of savory ground beef, deliciously seasoned spaghetti sauce, al dente noodles, and a creamy cheese blend are layered together to create your new favorite dinner! Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make. In fact, just 5 simple steps are all you have to follow to make it.
25 minutes
35 minutes
1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce or your favorite jarred sauce
- 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
- 16 oz. pasta noodles (I used mafaldine pasta)
- ¼ cream cheese, soften
- 200 gr. ricotta cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet , add ground beef, chopped onions, garlic and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook over medium high heat until the meat is browned. Drain excess grease. Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and simmer.
- Cook pasta to al dente in heavily salted water. Add pasta to ground beef tomato sauce mixture. Coat noodles with sauce.
- Add to a medium bowl ricotta, cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.
- Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Layer half the noodle mixture on the bottom. Spread all the cream cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with the remaining noodle mixture. Layer the shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 350ºF for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
This recipe works great with ziti pasta and spaghetti noodles, so feel free to use any pasta that you want!
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
2 cups
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 631Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 37g