One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake (Printable)

Cozy pasta with gooey cheeses and rich tomato sauce cooked all in one pot for easy cleanup.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni

→ Sauce

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
08 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Cheeses

12 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F and allow to fully preheat.
02 - In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
04 - Add the uncooked pasta and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir well, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged in liquid.
05 - Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches al dente texture.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses until melted and distributed evenly.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and all of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
08 - Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • One pot means you're not standing over three burners wondering which pan to tend to next.
  • The pasta absorbs all the tomato and cheese flavors as it cooks, so every forkful tastes intentional and rich.
  • Your oven does the final work, turning everything golden while you take a breath and set the table.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time; it's the difference between a pot of hot pasta and something that holds together on a plate.
  • Use an oven-safe pot with a lid, or you'll be balancing foil awkwardly and probably burn your hand—trust me on this one.
  • The pasta will finish cooking in the oven, so err on the side of undercooking it on the stovetop.
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese if time allows; the difference in how it melts is worth those extra two minutes of work.
  • Stir the pasta occasionally as it simmers so the bottom doesn't stick and every piece cooks evenly.
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