Easy No-Boil Pasta Bake (5 minute prep time!)

Name: Easy No-Boil Pasta Bake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package of penne, ziti or fusilli pasta; 2 (16 ounce) jars of marinara or pasta sauce*; 3 cups broccoli or veggies of choice (cut into bite-sized pieces); 1 package chicken sausage (cut into bite-sized rounds); ½ cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 cup water; salt and pepper (to taste); 2 cloves garlic (minced); ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 cup mozzarella cheese

A gooey, one-pan, No-Boil Pasta Bake made with pantry staples is the best meal for a busy weeknight. Just 5 minutes of prep time and dinner will be on the table in under an hour! This dish is super simple and easy to customize with your favorite sauce, protein, and veggies.

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Two plates of baked pasta with a casserole dish full of no boil pasta bake.

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Honestly, who doesn't love fast and easy meals? No-boil baked pasta recipes are the best type of dinner when you don’t have a ton of time but need a hearty and filling meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, just throw the whole thing in the oven! My favorite part about it? It's great for leftovers and to make ahead of time because it stores well.

Minimal prep means fewer dishes, and there may be no chore I despise more than doing the dishes. This is an 'in a pinch' recipe which is great since the oven does most of the work! If you love one-pot meals, you will also enjoy Oven-Baked Halibut with Tomatoes and Sausage and Vegetable Sheet Pan Dinner.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

One-pan meal. I am a big fan of simple recipes and nothing beats a dinner that can be made in one dish.
Crowd pleaser. This no boil pasta casserole will be a hit with everyone.
Simple ingredients. This pasta recipe makes pantry staples into a delicious dinner.

Ingredients

Pasta - Penne, ziti, rigatoni, or fusilli will all work great. I have not tested this with spaghetti noodles or other long pasta. If you are a fan of easy pasta recipes, try chicken bolognese next.
Pasta sauce - Use your family’s favorite jarred spaghetti sauce, or try making your own like this Authentic Italian Pasta Sauce Recipe.
Veggies - I used broccoli florets for this recipe but you can use anything you have on hand; onions, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, etc.
Chicken sausage - I used pre-cooked Italian sausage but you can use your favorite chicken sausage. If you use uncooked sausage, make sure to cook it before adding it to the baking dish.
Cheese - I use mozzarella cheese and parmesan for this recipe. Low-moisture mozzarella cheese works best since fresh mozzarella will cause the pasta to be more watery.
Water - You need 1 cup of water for some extra liquid. Chicken or vegetable broth would also be great.

See the recipe card below for quantities and remaining ingredients.

Variations

This no-boil pasta bake is super customizable and can be adjusted to your family’s preferences.

Protein - Use shredded rotisserie chicken, diced grilled chicken, small frozen meatballs, or even ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey. The ground meat will need to be browned on the stove beforehand.
Vegetables - you can use onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or any of your favorite vegetables in this dish.
Cheese - You can use cheddar, a pizza cheese blend, ricotta cheese, feta, provolone, or even vegan cheese. Toss a few cubes of cream cheese to make it extra creamy.
Seasonings - I would suggest using salt and pepper in the dish, but you can add other spices if you wish. Red pepper flakes, onion salt, garlic powder, basil, or oregano would all be great additions. You can also top it with some fresh herbs after baking, like fresh basil or parsley.
Sauce - Any regular jarred tomato sauce works great or you can switch it up and use vodka sauce.

It is also easy to adjust it for different diet types!

Gluten-free - Gluten-free pasta can easily be used in this pasta dish.
Vegetarian - Skip the meat, or use a meat substitute.
Vegan - Trade the cheese for vegan cheese or cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast. You can also use a meat substitute or omit the meat and double up on the veggies.

How to Make No-Boil Pasta Bake

Tomato sauce in the bottom of a white baking dish.

Step 1: Add some sauce to the bottom of a rectangular baking dish.

Pasta sauce, chicken sausage, pasta, and broccoli in a white baking dish with garlic and seasonings.

Step 2: Top the sauce with dry pasta, chicken sausage, vegetables, parmesan cheese, water and remaining marinara sauce.

Pasta sauce, chicken sausage, pasta, and broccoli mixed together in a white baking dish.

Step 3: Mix all ingredients together in the pan until well combined.

Shredded mozzarella on top of a pasta bake before baking.

Step 4: Top with cheese, cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and finish by broiling so the top of the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this in advance?

Yes, this easy pasta bake can be made ahead of time. Assemble all the ingredients in the baking dish and refrigerate a day ahead of time. Then when you are ready to serve, just throw it in the oven.

Do I have to boil pasta before baking?

No, you do not have to boil the pasta for this pasta bake recipe. The pasta will cook in the sauce with the other ingredients in the oven. You also don’t have to use special no-boil pasta, regular pasta noodles will work.

How do I prevent the pasta from drying out?

To prevent the pasta from drying out, I recommend covering it with foil while baking. This will help to keep the moisture in the pan.

A white baking dish full of baked pasta with melted cheese and parsley.

Sarah's Top Tips

Spray your casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray before adding the ingredients for easier cleanup.
Make it easy by using the pantry staples and veggies you need to use up in the fridge.
Save time and make it for meal prep, as it keeps really well when stored in an airtight container.
Let your pasta bake rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to set.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover pasta bake in the fridge for about 3-4 days in an airtight container.
The pasta bake should last a few months if stored in a freezer-safe container.
To defrost: Defrost in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours or place the container in cold water to speed up the process.
To reheat: Once defrosted, heat in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes in a microwave-safe container or the oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.

Serving

While this no-boil pasta bake is a full meal on its own, you can definitely add a few side dishes such as air fryer carrots or a simple green salad with white balsamic vinaigrette.