Baked pasta is comfort food at its best—cheesy, saucy, and golden on top. You can keep it simple or load it up with chicken, veggies, or extra cheese.
Classic Baked Pasta (Oven)
Ingredients
- 250–300g pasta (penne or macaroni)
- 2 cups tomato pasta sauce
- 1 cup cooked chicken (optional, shredded or cubes)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup cheddar or parmesan
- 2 tbsp oil or butter
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano or Italian seasoning
- Chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Boil pasta
Cook in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside. - Make the sauce base
Heat oil/butter, sauté onion until soft, then add garlic.
Add tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and chili flakes. Simmer 5–7 minutes. - Add chicken (optional)
Stir in cooked chicken or keep it vegetarian. - Combine
Mix the pasta with the sauce. - Assemble
Transfer to a baking dish. Top with mozzarella and cheddar. - Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Tips for perfect baked pasta
- Slightly undercook pasta so it doesn’t get mushy
- Mix some cheese inside as well as on top
- For extra creaminess, add 1/2 cup cream or make a white sauce layer
- Let it rest 5 minutes after baking—it sets better
Variations
- Creamy version: Add white sauce (béchamel) along with tomato sauce
- Spicy desi twist: Add green chilies, tikka chicken, and a bit of garam masala
- Veggie-loaded: Mushrooms, capsicum, corn, spinach
Serving ideas
- Garlic bread on the side
- Simple salad
- As a full one-dish meal
If you want, I can give you a white sauce baked pasta, a budget version with minimal ingredients, or a high-protein gym-friendly version.
