Pasta Bake Tips
Can I use uncooked pasta in this bake?
We don't recommend using uncooked pasta because it can soak up too much liquid, resulting in a dry pasta bake.
Should I cover pasta when baking?
The sauce and tomatoes in this
Italian recipe provide enough moisture to bake it uncovered. Some
pasta bake recipes may require covering to retain adequate moisture and prevent drying. It’s always best to follow the method in the recipe.
Can I prep and freeze this recipe?
Yes, unbaked Italian pasta bake freezes very well! Just cover tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with foil. When ready to bake, remove from the freezer 24 hours ahead of time and place in the refrigerator. Bring to room temp—and remove plastic wrap and foil—before baking. Follow these
freezing tips to ensure your pasta bake comes out fresh!
Reviews
I made this with hot italian sausage and hot italian meatballs. Also used spicy Rotel instead of tomatoes and pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella. Yes I like spicy. It looked awesome and tasted like heaven
I used roughly chopped San Marzano’s rather than sliced tomatoes; added a little sausage to it that I had in hand; as well as a little fresh basil. Love the combo of mozzarella and provolone. Absolutely delicious pasta dish!
I used hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef (because I had it on hand; it was delicious!
Do you know if gluten free pasta would work in this recipe? Wondered if it would get “gummy”?
A little bland. Next time I will use Italian sausage and leave out the tomatoes.
One change, drain the fat off the beef after most has been rendered.
This is one of my family's favorite recipes. I always make it with Italian sausage and I leave off the tomatoes on top because my kids don't like them, but otherwise follow the recipe as written. Be sure not to boil your pasta too much or it will be too mushy after baking. Always delicious.
Made with 1 lb. ground beef and 1 lb. mild Italian sausage. Only other change was about 1/2 extra cup of cheese on the bake to use up a package. Whole family loved it! Will definitely make this recipe again.
Only change I made was only boiling the pasta for a few minutes. Boiling the pasta, then baking, made it mushy. The texture was not pleasant. Boil the pasta for half the recommended time, then mix it in and bake. Turns out much better!
I used 1 # of 93% ground beef and 1 # Italian sausage Drain both meats.. Added small package of turkey pepperoni before baking. Very good!