This Ricotta Pasta Bake is an easy vegetarian recipe made in just one pan. Only a 5-minute prep time and an hour of baking stand between you and this delicious dinner that’s loaded with tomatoes, garlic, cream, Parmesan, ricotta cheese, and pasta!
One Pan Ricotta Pasta Bake
Even though I love making food, I’m all about easy recipes, and this Ricotta Pasta Bake is just that! If dinnertime is a struggle in your house, especially on weeknights, this simple meal definitely needs to be in your rotation.
This delicious pasta bake is made with less than 10 ingredients, only takes about 5 minutes to prep, and bakes up in less than an hour.
Garlic, salt, and crushed tomato make up a simple, flavorful sauce, plus a couple cups of half-and-half make this dish extra creamy. Just toss these ingredients into a pan with dry pasta and top it with ricotta, Parmesan, and fresh basil… that just about covers it!
Ricotta Pasta Bake takes just under an hour to cook, but that’s all hands-off time when you’re free to get other things done. After popping the pan in the oven, I usually go on to do some cleaning/writing/watching TV… you know, the important stuff!
Cooking while checking off your to-do list is multitasking at its finest if I do say so myself!
If you love ricotta as much as I do, you’ll be drooling over this recipe. The dollops of soft cheese become extra creamy when baked, and paired with fresh, fragrant basil, it’ll make your mouth water!
This dish is destined to be a crowd-pleaser for everyone in the family. What’s more, this recipe is vegetarian, so non-meat-eaters can also enjoy this tasty meal.
Even though I usually make dinner for just Matt and myself, I always make a full batch of this stuff since it’s also great for leftovers and means we usually get two to three meals out of it. It basically has all the components of a vegetarian lasagna, and luckily, it reheats just as well.
I should also point out that, although it’s a quick meal, Tomato Ricotta Pasta Bake is tasty enough to serve to guests, too! What’s more, the easy prep means there’s more time for socializing and less time needed in the kitchen.
Serve it up with my Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks or Blue Cheese Garlic Bread!
Whether you’re part of a busy family or one with picky eaters, this Baked Penne recipe is sure to become a favorite. Pasta, garlic, cheese, sauce, and fresh basil… really, what’s not to love?
One Pan Tomato Ricotta Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 16 ounces penne pasta uncooked
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated and divided
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Combine garlic, salt, pasta, tomatoes, half-and-half, 1/2 cup Parmesan, in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and stir to combine.
- Cover with a double layer of foil, crimping tightly around edges to seal. Place dish on the center rack and bake until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.
- Remove from oven and carefully remove foil. Spoon ricotta over pasta in large dollops and sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Place baking dish on the uppermost rack and broil on low until ricotta begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more!
Comments & Reviews
Cindy says
Mine came out dry and a few noddles were crunchy. I even pulled it out halfway and gave it a toss. It needs maybe 1/2c water and loads more seasoning. With some adjustments it could be great. Maybe just me.
Lauri says
Excellent and super easy! We have made this several times and the whole family loves it.
Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca Hubbell says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Alex says
It’s nice love the ricotta! Personally I need more flavour so I added some fresh basil, dried oregano pinch of red pepper flakes and pepper! Yummy though thanks!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, we love adding spices to this recipe and this makes for a nice base for readers to customize.
Karaline Hume says
I am excited to make this , wondering if I can use heavy whipping cream instead of half and half
Rebecca Hubbell says
If you have milk, then I would create your own half and half with the whipping cream and milk. If not, then I would use 75% whipping cream and 25% water as a substitute. This will help ensure enough water to hydrate and cook the pasta.
Karaline Hume says
thanks ! I totally forgot that the pasta will cook while in the oven so I ended up buying half and half !! I am making this now :
Christine says
Delicious and so easy! My husband requested I add this into our regular meal rotation!