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Pink Pasta Casserole is a super easy pasta recipe that’ll leave you licking your plate clean! It’s made with penne pasta tossed in a creamy sauce. If a deliciously filling comfort food dinner is what you’re looking for, then this is it! This combination of tomato sauce and Alfredo with ooey gooey cheese is a casserole that you need to put in your meal-planning rotation.
Pink Pasta Casserole
If you are searching for the perfect comfort food recipe, this Pink Pasta Casserole recipe is for you. This delicious dinner recipe is so easy to make and you might even have all the ingredients already! This creamy, cheesy pink pasta recipe is an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. The leftovers are so delicious! If your kids enjoy cooking, this is a GREAT recipe for them to help you with.
Pink Pasta describes mixing red marinara sauce and white Alfredo sauce. The larger size jars of sauce work best. Or, if you have your own marinara and Alfredo recipes, you can use that too! You can use any brand or flavored marinara and Alfredo sauce you like (example: roasted garlic, tomato basil, etc.).
Begin by cooking your meat of choice. I suggest ground Italian sausage or Italian turkey. However, ground beef would be delicious as well! My recipe calls for 1 pound of meat, but, if you prefer an extra meaty pasta sauce, consider doubling the meat to 2 lbs.
While the entire box of pasta is boiling, drain the meat and add both the marinara and alfredo sauce over the meat. Stir in Italian seasoning and garlic powder. The creamy and meaty sauce smells so good that it’s hard to resist nibbling at it early! Drain the pasta and put the cooked pasta back in the large pot.
Pink Pasta Casserole
Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and stir until combined completely, as seen in the video. Next, prepare a baking dish with non stick spray and add 1/2 of the pasta to the baking dish. Top it with 6 slices of mozzarella cheese. Put the second half of the pasta over the cheese. Top it all off with 6 more slices of mozzarella.
To prevent your perfectly creamy casserole from drying out, be sure to cover it with foil before putting it in the oven. What I LOVE about mozzarella is that it melts beautifully. Because you’re adding 2 layers of mozzarella to this Pink Pasta Casserole, each and every bite will have that amazingly delicious stringy cheese!
To add a little bit of fanciness to your presentation, sprinkle parsley on top. Serve it with a side salad and maybe even some garlic bread. The leftovers are DELICIOUS! Cover the leftovers and store them in the fridge. Take it to work or, as my kids like, pack it in a thermos for a hot lunch at school.
More Casserole Recipes by Smart School House:
-
Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole
-
Chili Dog Casserole
-
Meatball Sub Casserole
-
Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole
-
Tortilla Chip Enchilada Casserole
You Will Need
- 1 lb. Box of Penne Pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage/Italian Turkey/Ground Beef (you can also double the meat to 2 lbs if preferred)
- 24 oz Jar of Marinara Sauce
- 22 oz Jar of Alfredo Sauce
- 12 Slices of Mozzarella
- 1 Tbs Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
Other Supplies Needed:
- 9″ x 11″ baking dish (or similar)
- Non-stick spray
- Large pan for cooking meat and sauces
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Foil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Boil pasta for 7-10 minutes or according to the directions on the box
- Brown meat and drain fat
- Add the jars of marinara sauce and Alfredo sauce to the pan with the meat
- Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder to the sauce
- Stir until combined
- Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot
- Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and stir until fully combined
- Prepare baking dish with non-stick spray
- Add 1/2 of the pasta to the dish
- Place 6 slices of cheese on top
- Put the remaining half of pasta on top of the cheese
- Add 6 more slices of mozzarella on top
- Cover with foil
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted
- Serve hot and enjoy!
