Here is my super simple Baked Cheese Pasta Casserole recipe aka Cheesy Noodle Bake which will warm you up and keep those family members happy. Lots of gooey cheesy with pasta noodles! Optional vegetables are easy to add in for some additional goodness 🙂 This is a homemade version of tomato based Mac N’ Cheese, that is healthier and tastier! Makes a super simple side dish!
Ingredients:
Please check ingredients for any food allergies or sensitivities.
2.5 – 3 cups Egg Noodle or Penne Pasta
1- 16 oz jar Pasta Sauce
1 T Italian Seasoning
1 cup grated Edam
1 cup grated Cheddar/Mozzarella Mix
½ cup grated Parmesan
1 cup Broccoli Florets or frozen Peas (optional)
Here are the products I used for this baked pasta casserole. I didn’t add any vegetables this time, but that is perfectly easy and works well. I really liked the texted of these no-yolk egg noodles and they were nice for a change. Penne noodles are my family’s other favorite, but any pasta noodle will work.
This Red Wine and Herb pasta sauce is good because it doesn’t have a bitter taste and goes well with the cheeses.
The cheeses are easy to substitute. If you don’t have edam, just add more mozzarella. Monterey Jack Cheese is another good substitute.
Instructions:
Pre-Cook Noodles in boiling water for 8-9 minutes
Drain pasta and combine in bowl with your favorite Pasta Sauce, Italian Seasoning and optional vegetables and half the Edam and Cheddar/Mozzarella cheeses. I like using the Classico pasta sauces, such as the Red Wine Pasta Sauce. For cheeses, I often take the easy route and use the pre-shredded cheeses where possible, depending what I have on hand.
Transfer to Baking Dish and cover with remaining cheeses and Parmesan. Spread the cheese evenly over surface. Feel free to add more if you are using a wider/longer pan with more surface area.
Cover (lid or tin foil) and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes,
Then bake uncovered for an 10 extra minutes until cheese topping browns, as desired.
Recipe Card:
To print the following recipe card for this easy baked pasta casserole, right click and select open in new window. Then select print and adjust settings to 4X6 photo size on 8 X 11 paper. Alternatively select % that allows viewing on screen the same size as your recipe card.
Simple Cheesy Noodle Bake
Here is this easy baked cheese pasta casserole on my plate with my salad as the main course 🙂
Serve as main or side dish!
Enjoy!
I hope you liked this recipe for simple Baked Cheese Pasta Casserole! You may want to combine it with my Creamy Caesar Salad or Cabbage and Carrot Coleslaw.
🙂 Bonnie