Margherita Pasta Bake
Do you have a favorite pasta sauce? We love varieties that are super thick, chunky and loaded with flavor! I think choosing a quality pasta sauce can really make meals like this Margherita Pasta Bake so delicious!
For this recipe, I tend to use pasta sauces that are thick, and loaded with flavors like garlic and roasted tomato. These classic flavors go perfectly with pasta, fresh herbs, and of course lots of cheese!
Since Margherita Pizza is one of my favorite meals, I thought I would make my own spin on it in pasta form. This Easy Margherita Pasta Bake took no more than 25 mins from start to finish and is a great weeknight meal, or even freezer meal option.
If you decide to freeze it, I do suggest adding the fresh basil after heating it to preserve it’s fragrant flavor.
In our home, I tend to make pasta-based dishes at least once per week. They are a staple and tradition I have started since my kids were babies. I tend to add tons of cheese to my pasta dishes because cheese does make everything better! :)
My kids are super picky about sauces and do not like a varieties that are watery or bland. I guess I cannot blame them because I too feel the same way!
Want to make this Easy Margherita Pasta Bake? Here is what you will need:
Ingredients:
1 box of 12 ounce pasta
1 (8) ounce bag of mozzarella cheese + 1 cup
1 16 container of ricotta cheese
8 large basil leaves sliced
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Directions:
Cook pasta according to the package instruction and strain. Return pasta to the pan and add the ricotta cheese, and 8 ounces of mozzarella, and pasta sauce; combine.
Place pasta mixture in a baking dish and cover with remaining cheese, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes-sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, and serve warm.
Pin this later:
Margherita Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 15 oz Pasta Sauce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package instruction and strain.
- Return pasta to the pan and add the ricotta cheese, and 8 ounces of mozzarella, and pasta sauce; combine.
- Place pasta mixture in a baking dish and cover with remaining cheese, basil leaves, and cherry tomatoes-sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
This looks amazing! It seems so very fresh and delicious, I will have to make this for my family, I am sure they will love this.
I was looking for a new pasta idea I think this is just right. I’m going to be making it this week it looks so good.
This looks so delicious. I love using real tomatoes inside my pasta dishes for that extra flavor.
This pasta bake sure does look delicious. I love the halved cherry tomatoes on top.
Mmm, this looks amazing. So tasty and fresh, bookmarking for later! Thanks for this.
This looks delicious! I’m always looking for pastas to make. Our family loves pasta! I can’t wait to give your recipe a try.
Thanks… my mouth is officially watering. Definitely need to try this for supper one day!
This sounds so delicious. What an awesome way to use that pasta sauce! I’d love to make this.
My family is going to love this recipe. I use Ragu to make most of my sauces. I am excited to give this recipe a try.
I love making recipes like this. It looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to give it a try.
Ragu is one of my favorites. This looks like a great recipe. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make it for dinner this week.
Thick and chunky is the way to go with the sauces. If it’s anything else, you might as well be using ketchup IMO. There’s always a jar of Ragu in our cabinets, it’s so easy to make a quick meal with.
My kids could eat this 24/7! And of course I love this recipe because it is meatless and is perfect for freezing and I can get at least two dinners from it for the win! Thanks for sharing
I love the Ragu Homestyle and have been experimenting with it myself. This recipe looks amazing, I love the fresh tomatoes on top.
This looks like the perfect comfy home meal for fall. I am sure my kids would gobble it up!
This looks yummy. I love easy dishes that make feed a crowd.
It sounds like an awesome dish! Super easy and delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
This looks so good and easy to make. I love pasta and so does my entire family.
These are the kind of meals I love! Full of flavor, easy to make, pretty presentation and everyone loves pasta! This one looks great for a last minute dinner!
It looks delicious. I like easy recipes. Something simple, but full of flavor that I can share with family and friends. I will try your recipe.
Thank you, so much Del!