Baked Mostaccioli

A classic Italian-American baked pasta dish with layers of meat sauce, pasta, and melted cheese.

1 pound mostaccioli pasta1 pound ground beef1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce1 teaspoon Italian seasoning2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper to taste

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). 
• Grease a baking dish.
• Cook mostaccioli pasta according to package instructions. 
• Drain and set aside.
• In a skillet, brown ground beef with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 
• Stir in marinara sauce.
• Mix cooked pasta with the meat sauce and pour into the baking dish.
• Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Pizza Pasta Bake

A delicious pizza inspired casserole! Feel free to add in your own favorite pizza toppings!

12 ounces cavatappi penne, or rotini
1 medium onion diced
½ pound Italian sausage mild or hot
½ pound lean ground beef
3 cloves garlic minced
½ red bell pepper diced
½ green bell pepper diced
14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes drained
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 cups pasta sauce
2-3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
28 slices pepperoni

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cook pasta according el dente to package directions. 
• Rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Brown onion, garlic, sausage and beef in a large pan over medium heat. 
• Drain any fat. 
• Add in red and green peppers and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. 
• Add oregano, drained tomatoes and pasta sauce, stir well.
• Place pasta in a greased 9×13 pan. 
• Pour meat sauce over pasta and top with cheese and pepperoni slices.
• Bake 35-40 minutes uncovered or until cheese is melted and pasta is heated through.

Recipe: Spend With Pennies

Cheesy Tortellini Alfredo Bake

Quick and easy to make... its a comforting and cheesy tortellini bake with a rich Alfredo sauce and tender broccoli florets. Ring the changes by throwing in some cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein

16 oz cheese tortellini
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups Alfredo sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Cook tortellini according to package instructions until al dente.
• Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
• Stir in Alfredo sauce and bring to a simmer.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked tortellini, broccoli florets, and Alfredo sauce.
• Mix until well coated.
• Transfer tortellini mixture to a greased baking dish.
• Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Let cool slightly before serving.
• Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tip: Add cooked chicken for extra protein.

Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake

This easy, cheesy pasta bake comes together in no time when you combine the toppings from a chicken supreme pizza with pasta and cheese. Thank you Inside BruCrew Life

16 ounces pasta, cooked al dente

½ cup diced onion

½ cup diced green pepper
½ cup diced mushrooms
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 - 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups grilled chicken, cubed
Salt and Pepper
Oregano

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
• Place the onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and butter in a large skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and flour and cook for another minute or two.
• Whisk in the chicken broth. Stir until the broth thickens slightly.
• Stir in the yogurt. 
• Add 1 cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese and stir until melted.
• Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and can of tomatoes and stir everything together.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the pasta into the prepared dish. 
• Top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle with oregano.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browning. 
• Serve hot.

Chicken and Sausage Pasta Bake

 Quick easy and great for using leftover chicken. Ideal for a crowd, and easy to half the amount. Thank you Key Ingredient

2 pounds cooked chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
6 cooked Italian sausage links, cut into bite size pieces

2 jars of spaghetti sauce 
1 pound of pasta, penne, macaroni, shells or what ever you like
1 large package of pizza cheese
1 onion, diced
2 large bell peppers, diced

Handful of spinach

• Cut up chicken, onion, peppers and sausage.
• Boil pasta and drain (don't over cook)
• Mix pasta, sausage, onion, peppers, chicken, spinach and sauce.
• Put in a large deep dish. 
• If it won't all fit, make a little side dish to freeze for lunch later.
• Top heavily with cheese.
• Bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

An easy and delicious meal that can be on your dinner table in 30 minutes. Combining buffalo chicken dip and cheesy pasta in one pan creates a meal that everyone will love. Thank you Inside Bru Crew Life

2 cups (8 ounces) uncooked, penne pasta (or substitute cooked cauliflower)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup ranch dressing
1/3 cup hot sauce
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken (rotisserie or canned)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
green onions, for garnish

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
• Spray an 8-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
• Cook the pasta noodles, according to the package directions. 
• Drain and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to keep them from sticking.
• Stir together the cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce until creamy.
• Add the chicken, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and cooked pasta noodles to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine. 
• Spoon into the prepared dish.
• Combine the remaining two cheeses and sprinkle over the top of the pasta. 
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.
• Remove and serve immediately with green onions, hot sauce, and ranch drizzles. Serves 6.

Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Easy, delicious and ready in 25 minutes. Thank you My Recipes

6 ounces uncooked large or regular elbow macaroni

3 cups pre chopped broccoli florets    

3 bacon slices, coarsely chopped   

12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces   

1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided    

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric   

1 1/4 cups 1% low-fat milk

1 cup unsalted chicken stock
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

5 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/4 cups)

• Preheat broiler to high.
• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
• Add broccoli to pan during last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Drain.
• While pasta cooks, place bacon in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat
• Cook 4 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally.
• Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon
• Reserve 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings in pan.
• Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Add chicken to drippings in pan; cook 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle with garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Sprinkle with turmeric; cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
• Combine remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, milk, stock, and flour, stirring with a whisk.
• Add milk mixture to pan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Cook 2 minutes or until thickened.
• Add pasta mixture and 2 ounces cheese; toss to coat.
• Sprinkle with remaining 3 ounces cheese and bacon.
• Broil 2 minutes or until cheese melts and just begins to brown.