Ever have nights when you just want something warm and filling?
Pasta casseroles are easy, familiar, and satisfying.
And they come together without a whole lot of effort!
Most of the time, I just use what I already have in my kitchen: a box of pasta, a jar of sauce, some cheese, and whatever meat and veggies are around.
The thing about pasta casseroles is that they don’t have to be complicated to be good.
All of these recipes are super easy and amazingly tasty!
1. Chicken and Corn Pasta
This one’s creamy, cheesy, and a little sweet from the corn.
Boil your favorite short pasta (penne or rotini work well).
While that’s going, sauté diced chicken breast in olive oil with garlic, salt, and pepper until golden.
Add in a can of corn (drained) and a splash of cream, then stir in cooked pasta and some shredded mozzarella.
Toss everything into a baking dish and top with more cheese.
Bake at 375°F until the top is bubbly and slightly browned. If you want another chicken idea, I have a chicken burrito casserole that’s quick to make and tasty to eat!
2. Italian Sausage Pasta
Start by browning Italian sausage in a skillet, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add chopped onions and bell peppers, then pour in a jar of marinara sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Boil pasta (rigatoni or shells are great here) and mix it into the sauce once drained.
I usually add a handful of parmesan at this point because it helps thicken things up.
Transfer to a casserole dish, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
3. Baked Rigatoni
Cook rigatoni until just shy of al dente and set aside.
In a pan, sauté garlic in olive oil, then add tomato sauce, a spoonful of tomato paste, and a pinch of oregano.
Mix in the pasta and stir until coated, then layer in a baking dish with ricotta and shredded mozzarella.
You can leave some cheese tucked in the middle…it melts into little pockets!
Bake at 400°F until golden and bubbly.
4. Baked Ziti with Broccoli and Alfredo Sauce
Boil ziti and toss in chopped broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Drain it all together and mix with a combo of alfredo sauce and a scoop of ricotta.
Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if your crew can handle it.
Pour into a baking dish and top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
Bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes.
5. Million Dollar Ravioli
It sounds dramatic, but this dish really does feel rich and over-the-top!
Use frozen or refrigerated cheese ravioli and boil just until they float.
In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, and a little Italian seasoning.
Spread a bit of marinara in your baking dish, layer ravioli, then the cream mixture, more sauce, and shredded mozzarella.
Repeat the layers if your dish is deep enough.
Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes.
6. Cream Cheese Pasta Bake
Boil pasta, something like farfalle or fusilli, while sautéing cherry tomatoes until they start to burst.
Add fresh spinach and let it wilt down, then stir in a block of cream cheese and a splash of pasta water to create a sauce.
Combine with drained pasta and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
I always taste-test here and adjust (sometimes the tomatoes need a pinch of sugar).
Pour into a dish, sprinkle with parmesan, and bake for 15–20 minutes at 375°F.
And if you want some more veggie-based dinner ideas, try these squash casserole meals!
7. Baked Carbonara Mac and Cheese
Cook elbow macaroni and set aside.
In a separate pan, crisp up chopped bacon and set that aside too.
Whisk together eggs, cream, shredded parmesan, and black pepper, then stir it into the warm pasta off heat (so you don’t scramble the eggs).
Add the bacon back in and pour the whole thing into a greased baking dish.
Top with extra cheese and bake at 375°F until set and golden on top.
And for another comfort food idea, try this tater tot casserole!
8. Pizza Pasta
Boil pasta (penne or rotini hold up well) while browning ground beef or Italian sausage in a skillet.
Stir in marinara sauce, a dash of garlic powder, and a little chopped pepperoni.
Once the pasta is drained, combine it all together with shredded mozzarella.
Pour into a baking dish and top with more pepperoni slices and cheese, then bake until melted and bubbly.
9. Penne Pasta, Peas, and Bacon
I reach for this one when I want something creamy but not too heavy!
Start with penne pasta and toss in frozen peas during the last minute of boiling.
While that cooks, crisp up diced bacon in a skillet and remove it to a paper towel.
In the bacon fat, sauté some garlic, then stir in a little heavy cream and parmesan to make a quick sauce.
Drain the pasta and peas, toss everything together, then transfer to a baking dish.
Add the bacon back in and sprinkle with extra cheese before baking at 375°F.
10. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Boil rotini or penne and set aside.
In a pan, cook chopped bacon until crispy, then add shredded cooked chicken and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Stir in a bit of cream cheese and some milk to make it creamy, then mix in the pasta.
You can add a little shredded cheddar here because ranch and cheddar just work!
Bake in a casserole dish at 375°F for about 20 minutes.
11. Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Cook penne or fettuccine and set it aside.
In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic, then stir in heavy cream and shredded parmesan to make a quick Alfredo sauce.
Add cooked, chopped chicken and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if you’re feeling fancy.
Stir in the pasta and pour it all into a baking dish.
Top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F until golden around the edges.
12. Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This one’s like the shortcut version of the classic.
Start by layering cooked pasta (ziti or penne) with chunks of cooked breaded chicken.
Pour over marinara sauce, then top with a mix of mozzarella and parmesan.
I like to sprinkle Italian seasoning and a few breadcrumbs on top for texture.
Bake at 375°F until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Creamy Beef and Shells
Brown ground beef with garlic, onion, salt, and pepper, then stir in tomato paste and a little beef broth.
Cook shell pasta separately and drain.
Mix in a few spoonfuls of sour cream or cream cheese to the beef for that creamy texture.
Combine everything in a baking dish, then top with shredded cheddar or mozzarella.
Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes. For more ideas, check out my list of amazing beef casseroles to feed your family!
14. Spaghetti Casserole
Boil spaghetti until just underdone, then drain.
Mix it with a beaten egg and a little parmesan so it holds together like a crust.
Spread into a greased casserole dish and top with cooked ground beef and marinara sauce.
Add a thick layer of mozzarella and bake at 375°F until the top is browned and set.
Let it rest a few minutes before slicing (it holds better that way).
15. Crack Chicken Casserole
If you’ve never made this one, just know it’s dangerously addictive!
Mix shredded cooked chicken with cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and a handful of cooked bacon.
Stir in cooked pasta and a bit of shredded cheddar.
Pour into a casserole dish and top with more cheese and bacon before baking at 375°F.
16. Rigatoni al Forno
Cook rigatoni and toss it with marinara sauce and a scoop of ricotta.
Stir in some sautéed garlic and spinach if you have it.
I usually layer it with shredded mozzarella so there’s gooey cheese all the way through.
Top with more cheese and a sprinkle of Italian herbs.
Bake at 400°F until the top is golden.
17. Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells
Boil jumbo shells and let them cool slightly.
Mix ricotta with cooked ground beef, parmesan, garlic powder, and parsley, then spoon it into each shell.
Spread marinara in the bottom of a baking dish and arrange the shells in a single layer.
Top with more sauce and plenty of mozzarella.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, then uncover to brown the cheese.
18. Lasagna Casserole
This skips the layering but still gives you all the lasagna flavor.
Boil rotini or bowties and mix with ricotta, marinara, and browned ground beef.
Stir in some shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
Pour into a baking dish and top with more cheese.
Bake at 375°F until the edges are golden.
19. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Start by seasoning and searing chicken breasts until golden, then chop or shred.
Boil pasta and drain.
I like to use penne for this one.
In a bowl, mix chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
Toss with the pasta and chicken, then transfer to a baking dish.
Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and a little parmesan and bake just until warm and melty.
20. Louisiana Chicken Pasta Bake
This one brings a little heat and a lot of flavor.
Cook penne and set it aside.
In a skillet, sauté onions and bell peppers with Cajun seasoning, then stir in sliced cooked chicken and a splash of cream.
Combine with the pasta and a mix of cheddar and mozzarella.
Bake at 375°F until the top is browned and the edges are bubbling.
21. Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Bake
Sauté thinly sliced beef with onions and bell peppers until tender.
Stir in cooked penne and a creamy mixture of provolone, cream cheese, and a splash of broth to loosen it up.
Season with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder.
Pour into a casserole dish and sprinkle more provolone on top.
Bake at 375°F until melty and golden.
22. Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Boil rotini or bowties and set aside.
In a pan, heat up chopped artichoke hearts and spinach with a mix of cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic.
Stir until creamy, then fold in cooked pasta and a handful of parmesan.
I like to add a few red pepper flakes here for extra flavor.
Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella before baking.
23. Meatball Sub Casserole
Start with cooked pasta, something sturdy like rigatoni or ziti.
Toss it with marinara and chopped cooked meatballs, then layer it in a dish. A
dd spoonfuls of ricotta and cover with shredded mozzarella.
I usually throw a few extra meatballs on top for good measure.
Bake until everything is hot and bubbly.
24. Cajun Shrimp Pasta Bake
Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and sauté just until pink, then set aside.
Cook penne and make a quick sauce with garlic, cream, and parmesan (add more Cajun spice if you like it bold).
Mix everything together with the shrimp and pour into a casserole dish.
You can throw in some chopped spinach or green onions here.
Top with mozzarella and bake until hot and golden.
Pasta Casseroles: Weeknight MVPs
Pasta casseroles are the kind of meals that don’t ask much but give you everything: comfort, leftovers, and that satisfying moment when everyone at the table actually eats.
If you’ve got a picky eater, a nearly empty fridge, or just no energy to stand at the stove, there’s something here that works.
Mix, bake, eat, repeat!
