Quick & Cheesy Baked Pasta

easy cheesy baked pasta

 

Today I’m sharing this really quick and easy pasta dish with you. I call it “Quick Cheesy Baked Pasta” and it’s super simple. #nationalpastaday

Most weeknights leave little time to make big dinners. That’s why I’ve been making dinner plans in advance by meal planning. Yes, I’ve been known to make roast and gumbo mid-week, but only with proper planning. Most nights we need easy and quick dinner ideas to keep everyone happy. I have a few “tried and true” recipes that normally make it into the rotation for dinnertime. This recipe is one of them. The great news is it only has 3 ingredients in it – pasta, spaghetti sauce, and lots of cheese.

pasta in hand, luxury pasta

You’ll need your favorite pasta for this dish. Bowtie, macaroni, or even angel hair pasta could work. It’s really a matter of preference. I used Luxury® wide egg noodles when I cooked this last time. In all my pasta cooking days (is that a valid thing?), I never knew this brand was in Louisiana! Let’s be honest. When you think about eating in Louisiana, you don’t think pasta. Well, hold on for a minute.

After a little research, I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that Luxury® Pasta was started by a group of Sicilian immigrants, who loved pasta and noodles. Some of the first Sicilian immigrants, who immigrated to New Orleans, would cook pasta dishes in “spaghetti houses”or “pasta kitchens”. This was done in the heart of the French Quarter. Eventually, the Luxury® Pasta brand grew out of one of these kitchens and still considered to be one of the best-selling pasta brands in Louisiana. Wow! New Orleans has it’s own famous pasta brand. Now back to this recipe and how you can use this “Louisiana famous” pasta.

Luxury Pasta- 2

One thing to keep in mind about cooking the pasta for this dish is that you cannot overcook it. The pasta should be cooked until it’s al dente, which means it’s firm and not too soft. You’ll need to bake your dish in the oven so it’s very important that the pasta is cooked properly to ensure that the dish comes out right. Once your pasta is cooked, you’ll be combining it with a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce and topping with cheese.

Be sure to season your sauce with your favorite seasonings.

I like to add Italian seasoning, season all, garlic powder. Next, combine the sauce with your pasta. Be sure it’s mixed in well! You’ll need to bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The oven temperature should be at 375 degrees. That’s pretty much it!

easy baked pasta-4

 

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To make this a complete meal, serve with french or garlic bread, add a green salad to the mix, or serve with your favorite vegetable. You can also serve with all three items to make it a very well-rounded meal. Also, add in your favorite meat for protein. Think beef or chicken for a robust meal.

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Dinnertime doesn’t have to be complicated during the week. Pick simple and easy meals for those nights when getting a good dinner on the table is all that matters. Look for ways to make recipes your own by adding in your family’s favorites.  If you’d like more help with meal planning, then be sure to download my FREE e-book, 3 Steps for Meal Planning Success. It contains the 3 steps I take every week to ensure I’m not frustrated when dinnertime rolls around. You can do it!

What’s your biggest dinnertime challenge? Meal ideas, grocery shopping, or time? Let me know in the comments. 

-Crystal 

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