Description
Creamy cheesy baked casserole brings comfort right to dinner tables with layers of rich flavor. Cheese lovers will discover pure culinary satisfaction in this hearty meal you can savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked pasta (such as penne or macaroni)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Cooked sausage
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Additional Toppings:
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped bell peppers
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing the perfect environment for a bubbling, golden casserole.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, unite cooked pasta with robust marinara sauce, blending half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, then sprinkle dried oregano and basil for aromatic depth. Gently season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Smoothly transfer the vibrant mixture into a well-greased baking dish, ensuring an even distribution that promises consistent taste in every spoonful.
- Crown the casserole with the remaining cheese varieties – scattered mozzarella, cheddar, and a generous dusting of Parmesan. Consider embellishing with optional ingredients like chopped black olives, diced bell peppers, or crumbled cooked sausage for added complexity.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative heat that will melt the cheeses into a luscious, golden blanket and thoroughly warm the entire dish.
- Once emerging from the oven, permit the casserole a brief moment to settle and cool slightly, allowing flavors to harmonize before serving this comforting culinary creation.
Notes
- Choose high-moisture mozzarella for extra gooey, stretchy texture that creates irresistible cheese pulls when serving.
- Swap marinara with creamy Alfredo sauce for a richer, more indulgent version of the casserole that feels luxurious.
- Add protein variety by mixing ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to make the dish more nutritionally balanced and satisfying.
- Customize with gluten-free pasta or low-carb alternatives like zucchini noodles to accommodate different dietary preferences without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg