Best 4 Italian Pasta Casserole Recipes

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When you are craving a comforting and hearty meal, nothing beats a classic Italian pasta casserole. With its layers of pasta, rich sauce, and gooey cheese, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a special meal to share with friends and family, there is an Italian pasta casserole recipe out there for you. From traditional lasagna and baked ziti to creative new takes on the classic, you are sure to find a recipe that will become a family favorite.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PASTA CASSEROLE



Italian Sausage and Pasta Casserole image

This is a super-easy, super-quick casserole dish that I came up with last week. I used Italian turkey sausage that my husband had grilled while we were barbecuing the day before. I also used wheat rotini pasta, but I think any kind of pasta would work. The rest of the quantities are just estimates ... you could use more or less depending on your tastes. I used whole cumin, fennel, thyme, and rosemary and lightly ground them with a pestle, but you could also use pre-ground. My husband, who is not usually a casserole lover, has been raving about this ever since, and my daughter, who usually hates zucchini, cleaned her plate without even a mention of it.

Provided by mamabear22

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 35m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

13 1/2 ounces pasta (any kind)
1 lb sweet Italian turkey sausage
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium zucchini, sliced thin
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dry basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
salt and pepper
1 cup feta cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Prepare pasta as directed, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
  • As pasta is cooking, cook Italian sausage as desired. (I like to pre-cook sausages, as they are easier to cut once they are already cooked.).
  • After sausages are cooked, remove from pan and set aside.
  • In a large pan, saute onion, peppers, zucchini, and garlic in olive oil until opaque.
  • Season with cumin, thyme, basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  • Slice sausages into bite-size pieces, then add sausages, tomatoes, and pasta to the vegetables and stir.
  • Spray large casserole dish with cooking spray and transfer entire mixture into dish.
  • Top with feta cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until cheese starts to melt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 379.5, Fat 13.3, SaturatedFat 5.4, Cholesterol 46.4, Sodium 843.6, Carbohydrate 46.9, Fiber 4, Sugar 7.3, Protein 18.6

ITALIAN PASTA CASSEROLE



Italian Pasta Casserole image

All the traditional flavors abound in this dish reminiscent of lasagna. "This is a zippy and hearty recipe that our family and guests really like."-Denise Rasmussen, Salina, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups uncooked spiral pasta
1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, crumble beef and sausage into a large skillet; add onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Drain pasta; stir in meat mixture and pepperoni. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with half of the cheese; repeat layers., Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 335 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 64mg cholesterol, Sodium 752mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ITALIAN PASTA AND BEAN CASSEROLE



Italian Pasta and Bean Casserole image

I love to cook for my family and making this recipe is very simple and tasty. It make a large amount for a large family.-George Morants, Cromwell, Connecticut

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can (28 ounces) Italian plum tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15-1/2 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 pound mostaccioli, rigatoni or macaroni, cooked and drained
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 pound shredded Fontina or mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute first six ingredients, crumbling with a fork, until the meat is browned and done. Drain. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper and kidney beans; heat through. , Add pasta, Parmesan cheese and parsley; toss well. Spoon into a greased shallow 4-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with Fontina or mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 579 calories, Fat 26g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 1417mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 36g protein.

NONA'S ITALIAN PASTA CASSEROLE



Nona's Italian Pasta Casserole image

This is a recipe that my grandmother used to make every Thanksgiving. She used to stuff her turkey with it, but I've decided that I like it better just as a casserole. It's a family favorite.

Provided by Queenkungfu

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 lbs ricotta cheese
1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/4 lb vermicelli, cooked al dente
1/4 lb provolone cheese, sliced
1 cup shredded romano cheese or 1 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 lb mushroom, chopped into pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 lb pancetta (italian bacon) or 1/2 lb Canadian bacon
1/2 lb ground sirloin
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt, pepper, and oregano (to personal taste)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cut pacetta or Canadian bacon into pieces.
  • Break pasta in half and boil it until it's still a little hard.
  • Drain pasta and set aside.
  • In a skillet heat the olive oil.
  • Sauté celery, mushrooms, and onion until tender.
  • Add meat and spices and cook until meat is brown; set aside.
  • Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add to meat mixture and blend well.
  • Pour into a baking dish and cook until cheese is melted and pasta is thoroughly cooked (about 30 minutes).
  • Note: You may want to boil some extra pasta to serve with this because the dish by itself is very rich. The mushroom pieces should be sized to the cooks personal taste. I prefer bigger pieces while my mother likes smaller. Canadian bacon works just great.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your casserole.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Use a variety of cheeses. A combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta is a classic choice, but you can use any cheeses that you like.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are endless possibilities when it comes to Italian pasta casserole, so feel free to add your own personal touch.

Conclusion:

Italian pasta casserole is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. With so many different recipes to choose from, you are sure to find one that you will love.

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