Baked Penne with Ricotta

This baked penne with ricotta is what happens when classic pasta meets creamy, cheesy perfection. It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table go quiet because they’re too busy savoring every bite.

Layer upon layer of tender penne pasta gets wrapped in a luxurious blend of ricotta, melty mozzarella, and perfectly seasoned marinara. The magic happens when it all bakes together, creating those irresistibly crispy edges and gooey cheese pulls that’ll have you coming back for seconds.

Equipment

• 9 x 13 inch casserole dish

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
• 28 ounces marinara sauce, divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Position baking rack in the middle of the oven.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package instructions, until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, half of the marinara, half of the mozzarella, and the parmesan cheese. Add in the cooked penne and stir until well combined.
4. Spread about half a cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan or casserole dish. Spoon the penne mixture on top of the sauce. Drizzle on the remaining sauce and smooth so the top of the penne is covered. Sprinkle on remaining mozzarella.
5. Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for about 25-30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the pasta is heated through. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Top with chopped parsley or basil if desired.

Smart Swaps

• Use whole grain penne to add fiber (reduces net carbs by 7g per serving)
• Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta (increases protein by 4g per serving)
• Try dairy-free cheese alternatives for a vegan version

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use Palmini pasta or zucchini noodles (reduces carbs to 12g per serving)
• Choose sugar-free marinara (saves 4g carbs per serving)
• Portion into 10 servings instead of 8 (reduces to 30g carbs per serving)
• Pair with a side salad dressed with olive oil to slow glucose absorption

Pro Tips

• Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions for perfect texture
• Let dish rest 5-10 minutes before serving to set properly
• Grate cheese fresh for better melting
• Use room temperature ricotta for easier mixing