vegetarianItaliandinnerPlan this recipeShare

Italian Pasta Cake

A Savory Twist on Classic Baked Pasta

6servings
1 hr
Medium
Worth the slow weekend prepMacros ready to logFeeds a hungry crew
Italian Pasta Cake

About this recipe

Discover a delightful twist on traditional pasta with our Italian Pasta Cake. This dish layers tubular pasta with rich marinara and creamy cheeses, baked to perfection. It's an impressive centerpiece for a casual dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. 2

    Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil.

  3. 3

    Mix marinara sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

  4. 4

    Using a greased 9-inch springform pan, layer pasta, sauce mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat until ingredients are used, ending with cheese.

  5. 5

    Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is golden.

  6. 6

    Let rest for 5 minutes. Remove from pan, slice, and serve warm.

Chef's tip

This recipe can be adapted with different types of pasta sauces or added veggies for more variety.

Sources