This creamy pesto pasta bake is extra creamy and cheesy, made in one baking pan, and doesn't require kitchen skills! This pasta bake is a super delicious pasta dish that is made in under an hour and tastes like restaurant pasta!
If you like quick and easy pasta recipes, you should try our baked goat cheese pasta, baked feta pasta, greek pasta salad, and our spinach pasta salad!
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Why this recipe works
- It's perfect when you have leftover cooked pasta.
- When you need a quick meal with minimal effort.
- Is awesome when you are craving a deliciously creamy and cheesy pasta dish.
- Perfect when you don't know how to cook or have kitchen skills but want to impress a special someone.
- When you want to use leftover pesto and don't know how to use it.
Ingredients
Cooked pasta- we used penne pasta in this recipe, but you can use any kind of pasta that you’d like.
Heavy cream- we used heavy cream in this recipe to make the pasta extra creamy and cheesy.
Mozarella- we used store-bought grated mozzarella cheese, but you can use fresh mozzarella cheese, or grate it yourself.
Garlic- you will need about 2 garlic cloves for this recipe. we use fresh garlic and grate it by hand. We do not recommend using store-bought pre-grated garlic, because it usually has less flavor.
Chili flakes- for extra flavor, you can also use cayenne pepper. Add it to your taste.
Pesto- we used store-bought pesto, but you can definitely use homemade pesto.
Parmesan- you will need grated parmesan cheese.
Baby spinach- we used baby spinach for this recipe, but regular spinach will work great as well.
Salt- we like to use kosher salt for this recipe.
Black pepper- for flavor.
Instructions
Preheat an oven to 200c (400f). And cook the pasta according to the package instructions. We suggest cooking the pasta al dente because the pasta cooks more when baked.
In a 13x9 inch baking pan, add the cooked pasta, basil pesto, minced garlic, parmesan, chili flakes, salt and pepper, heavy cream, and the baby spinach, and carefully mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are well combined.
Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese on top, we like to use it a lot, but you are free to use it as much as you like.
Bake the pasta in a 200c (400f) preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is slightly golden brown on top.
Serve by itself or next to your favorite protein or salad and enjoy!
Faq's
We made this pasta dish with penne pasta, but any kind of pasta is supposed to work great for this recipe. Try to use short pasta for the best results.
Yes! You can use any kind of your favorite pasta kinds and pasta shapes, like chickpea pasta, brown rice pasta, spinach pasta, quinoa pasta, etc.
Yes. It is very easy to make this recipe vegan, simply replace the cheese and cream with vegan cheese and cream.
Absolutely! If you want extra protein in your pasta bake, you can add cooked chicken, grilled chicken, and shredded chicken, and simply mix it with the rest of the ingredients and bake according to the instructions.
Expert tips
- Make the pasta in salted water. this will make sure that the pasta flavor isn't flat. add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water.
- Cook the pasta to al dente. to stop the pasta from turning soggy from the juices, cook the pasta al dente. this step will keep your pasta salad fresh and delicious
- Use fresh ingredients! this pasta bake is the perfect vegetarian dish for any occasion!
Serving tips
Serve this pasta dish at a picnic, barbecue, or party. This recipe fits any type of occasion. Serve this pasta dish next to your favorite protein, next to a grilled chicken, tofu, etc.
Serve it by itself! This baked goat cheese pasta is filled with fresh vegetables, carbs from the pasta, and healthy fats from olive oil. This recipe makes a perfect brunch, lunch, or dinner!
Freezing
If you would like to freeze this pasta bake, you totally can! Simply make it and bake it according to the instructions, let it cool to room temperature, and either place it in an airtight container, or cover it with plastic wrap. Freeze up to 2 months.
Make sure that you are using a freezer-friendly container.
More similar recipes:
Baked goat cheese pasta- This baked goat cheese pasta is made with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, fresh basil, baby spinach, mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, garlic, olive oil, and spices.
Tiktok Baked Feta Pasta– This baked feta pasta is incredibly delicious and easy to make. This pasta dish went viral in Finland, and because of this recipe, the grocery stores in Finland ran out of feta cheese.
Easy Greek Pasta Salad- This Greek pasta salad is perfect for any occasion, make with cooked pasta, fresh veggies, olives, and homemade Mediterranean Greek pasta salad dressing.
Basil pesto sauce- If you're looking for a simple sauce with herbs look no further than this creamy basil pesto sauce that will add flavor to pasta and proteins!
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📖 Recipe
Pesto Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 400 g Cooked pasta
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2-3 Garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon Chili flakes
- 1 cup Baby spinach
- ½ cup Pesto
- â…“ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- â…“ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 200c (400f). And cook the pasta according to the package instructions. We suggest cooking the pasta to al dente because the pasta cooks more when bakes.
- In a 13×9 inch baking pan, add the cooked pasta, basil pesto, minced garlic, parmesan, chili flakes, salt and pepper, heavy cream, and the baby spinach, and carefully mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are well combined.
- Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese on top, we like to use it a lot, but you are free to use it as much as you like.
- Bake the pasta in a 200c (400f) preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is slightly golden brown on top.
- Serve by itself or next to your favorite protein or salad and enjoy!
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