As the temperature drops, we notice ourselves craving lasagna and mac and cheese with greater frequency, a noticeable shift from the cooling salads we were going for during the sweltering summer months. It may have something to do with the comfort food factor, or perhaps it’s the fact that we’re looking for any excuse to light the oven, but we’re guessing we’re not alone in this tendency. Enjoy warming up with these 18 tasty baked pasta recipes as the temperature drops!
1. Spaghetti Pie: Held together with ricotta and eggs, this saucy spaghetti pie takes on a few different irresistible textures after a blast in the oven. (via Pinch of Yum)
2. Spicy Pesto Lasagna: A dollop of pesto imparts a creamy feeling and tons of flavor to the rich beef and tomato sauce layered with cheese and noodles. (via Rice and Bread)
3. Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti: Use rotisserie chicken to get this quick-and-easy baked ziti on the table even faster. And, for a well-balanced, one-skillet meal, go ahead and add a few handfuls of your favorite veggie to the mix. (via Gimme Some Oven)
4. Red Pepper Pasta Bake: Your family will fall for this sweet pepper twist on the usual marinara sauce. Whether or not you add some meat to the mix is up to you… it’s totally delicious either way. (via Damn Delicious)
5. Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells: Underneath a layer of chunky marinara, you’ll find garlicky sautéed spinach and ricotta-stuffed pasta shells that are just waiting for you to dig in. (via Palachinka)
6. Smokey Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne: Bacon, beer and smokey provolone are just a few of the ingredient highlights you’ll find mixed into this swoon-worthy casserole. (via Host the Toast)
7. Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi: Can’t decide between ravioli and gnocchi? Gnudi is the answer. (via Carolina Girl Cooks)
8. Sausage and Mushroom Stuffed Shells: Pumpkin adds a nice touch of color and creaminess to the bechamel sauce spooned over these tasty meat and mushroom-stuffed shells. (via A Beautiful Bite)
9. Beef Ragu Lasagna: Upgrade the usual ground beef red sauce to a slow-cooked ragu made in a Dutch oven at your own risk — it’s such a treat that you may never be able to go back to the quick route. (via Erin Made This)
10. Black Bean and Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Shells: Stuffed shells took a little trip south-of-the-border and came back packed with a fiesta of flavors. (via Bakeaholic Mama)
11. Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cups: If you love to eat the crispy, caramelized cheese edges around a pan of mac and cheese, these personal-sized cups of cheesy goodness are right up your alley. (via Lemons for Lulu)
12. Asparagus and Kale Stuffed Shells: Your tastebuds will probably be too distracted by a homemade red sauce and dollops of basil pesto to even notice that these shells feature a duo of healthy veggies. (via Edible Perspective)
13. Asparagus Spaghetti With Baked Eggs: Now this baked pasta recipe would be perfect for brunch — whether or not you’re recovering from the night before. (via Bacon, Egg + Cheesecake)
14. Baked Lamb Orzo Noodles: Tomato and onion-braised lamb is stirred together with orzo and baked to create this simply seasoned, but simply delicious, traditional Greek casserole. (via Adventures in Cooking)
15. Skillet Baked Pulled Pork and Broccoli Rabe Stuffed Shells: Meltingly tender pulled pork and garlic-and-chili cooked broccoli rabe are a perfect pairing stuffed inside giant pasta shells. (via Heather Christo)
16. Baked Gnudi With Vodka Sauce: Don’t even try to resist the charm of these extra large gnudi covered in a vodka-spiked tomato sauce — your efforts will be in vain. (via I Will Not Eat Oysters)
17. Sausage Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese: Spice up your next mac and cheese with jalapeños and your favorite sausage. How great would some smokey, kicky chorizo be here? (via Little Leopard Book)
18. Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake: A few ingredient swaps lighten up this dish, but it somehow stills feels totally indulgent. (via Damn Delicious)
What’s your go-to baked pasta recipe to make when it gets cold? Share your faves with us in the comments below!
Heather Sage
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.
