There are few dishes that scream “comfort” quite like a bubbling, cheesy, saucy baked pasta. It’s the meal that warms you from the inside out, the star of family dinners, and the perfect dish to bring to a potluck. But a truly great baked pasta is an art form. It’s a delicate balance of perfectly cooked pasta, a rich and flavorful sauce, and—most importantly—the glorious harmony of cheese.
This recipe for Three Cheese Baked Pasta is our definitive guide to achieving that perfection. We use a trio of cheeses, each with a specific job: Ricotta for creamy, light pockets; Mozzarella for that epic, ooey-gooey cheese pull; and Parmesan for a sharp, salty bite that ties everything together.
Forget dry, bland pasta bakes. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a show-stopping dish that’s rich, decadent, and utterly irresistible. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pasta: 1 lb (450g) rigatoni, penne, or ziti
Sauce: 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite marinara sauce, or a simple homemade version
Cheese Trio:
15 oz (425g) whole milk ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups (about 6 oz) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
¾ cup (about 3 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
For the Ricotta Filling:
1 large egg
½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
For Assembly & Flavor:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt for pasta water
Fresh basil or extra parsley for garnish
The Step-by-Step Procedure
Follow these detailed steps to build your perfect baked pasta.
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients (Mise en Place)
Before you start, get all your components ready. This makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. Chop your parsley, mince your garlic, and grate your Parmesan cheese. Having everything at your fingertips is the first secret to a stress-free kitchen.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta to Al Dente
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt (it should taste like the sea!). Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, but under-cook it by 2 minutes. This is crucial! The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, and this step prevents it from becoming mushy. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Do not rinse it.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Ricotta Filling
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta, the large egg, chopped parsley, ½ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. The egg acts as a binder, helping the ricotta stay creamy and luscious instead of melting away. Mix until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Combine the Pasta and Sauce
In the now-empty (and still warm) pasta pot or a very large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the entire jar of marinara sauce. Gently stir until every piece of pasta is beautifully coated in the sauce. This ensures no dry bites in the final dish.
Step 5: Assemble the First Layer
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread about half of the sauced pasta mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish.
Step 6: Add the Ricotta Layer
Dollop the ricotta mixture over the first layer of pasta. Use a spoon to gently spread it out, but don’t worry about making it a perfect, solid layer. The goal is to create delicious, creamy pockets throughout the bake.
Step 7: Add the Final Layers
Top the ricotta with the remaining half of the sauced pasta, spreading it evenly to cover the ricotta filling. Now for the grand finale: sprinkle the entire top with the 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella and the remaining ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Make sure to go all the way to the edges for that irresistible, crispy-cheesy crust.
Step 8: Bake to Golden, Bubbly Perfection
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. This prevents the top from burning before the center is hot. Bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden brown in spots, and the sauce is bubbling vigorously around the edges.
Step 9: Let It Rest!
This might be the hardest step, but it’s non-negotiable for the best result. Carefully remove the baked pasta from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the dish to set, so when you serve it, you get a beautiful slice instead of a soupy puddle. Garnish with fresh basil or more parsley.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy
Use a large spatula to cut into the pasta bake. Lift out a generous portion, making sure to showcase that incredible cheese pull and the distinct layers of pasta and creamy ricotta. Serve hot and watch everyone’s faces light up. You’ve just created the ultimate comfort food.
