We love pasta in all of its shapes and forms, but there's something extra comforting about when it gets baked in the oven to get golden brown and crispy.
Oh, baked pasta - whether in the form of lasagna or ziti or anything in between, this is our official love letter. While we still find a great deal of comfort in dishes like Gricia or Aglio e Olio, there's an unparalleled sense of coziness that comes with digging into a bubbly, cheesy casserole of noodles. It's the kind of soul-nourishing and stick-to-your-ribs dish that we're all about right now - in times of uncertainty, food is still there for us. Especially Giada's baked pasta recipes.
Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes
Sheet Pan Layerless Lasagna
Lovers of crispy lasagna edges, this one's for you! Giada's viral spin on the classic dish has become one of our most popular recipes! Not only is it easier (no tedious layering required) but it ensures more perfectly crisp bites all throughout. Broken up lasagna pieces, ortaccole pasta, make it feel more layered than your average baked pasta. Feel free to assemble this ahead of time and refrigerate until it's time to serve - then pop it in the oven when it's time to eat!
Baked Bolognese
Bolognese is never a bad idea. When it’s a dish you can completely make ahead, leaving nothing left but to bake it off on the big day with the same delicious results as baking it the same day, it’s agreatidea! The fun sailors knot pasta shape fills every bite with pure joy.
Baked Penne With roasted Vegetables
The best way to get all your veggies in? Tossed with pasta, cheese, and baked until bubbly perfection.
Ziti Stufati
This classic Italian recipe consists of a tomato and ricotta sauce poured over lots of little meatballs, ziti pasta and hardboiled eggs (though Giada often "forgets" to add the eggs - make it to your taste!). In Italian, "stufati" means "stewed," and in this recipe it refers to the way the meatballs and pasta continue to simmer away while this pasta bakes to cheesy perfection.
Baked Manfredi Lunghi Pasta With Butternut Squash Sauce and Sausage
Lovers of crispy pasta, this fall spin on oursheet pan layerless lasagnais going to be right up your alley. Creamy butternut squash puree paired with sage, spicy sausage and rapini are already a perfect match, and topping it all off with dollops of spicy ricotta turns this into one truly delicious dish.
Beef and Cheese Manicotti
There is something so satisfying not just to eating this dish, but making it, too! These giant manicotti are stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan, then doused in marinara, sprinkled with cheese and dotted with butter. It's as good as it sounds!
Creamy Parmesan Baked Pasta
Think baked mac and cheese, but with an irresistible Italian spin of Parmesan and Provolone. This is everything we want in a cheesy, bubble pasta - and some broccoli speckled in so we can still feel a bit virtuous about it!
Baked Paccheri
Paccheri is one of our all-time favorite pasta shapes around, and thisPaccheri Al Forno(aka, baked paccheri!) is a classic way to cook it in southern Italy. Filling each tube of pasta with a flavorful sausage and ricotta mixture is reminiscent of stuffed cannelloni or lasagna rolls, and it’s extra delicious with the perfect al dente chew of Giadzy pasta.
Baked Lemon Ziti
Giada has a knack for pairing decadent and comforting textures with the bright flavor of lemon, and this dish is a perfect example. It's everything cheesy, gooey and wonderful you want in a baked pasta, but with the fresh flavor of lemon all throughout.
Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina
This dish, even if you've never made it, just carries some kind of comforting nostalgic energy all on its own. It's a simply-flavored and delicious meal that kids adore, but it absolutely hits the spot for the grown-ups too! "Pastina," while a name for a pasta shape on its own, just refers to any kind of short little pasta in this recipe, so use whatever you have.
Lasagna Rolls
While classic lasagna is always on the table for a comforting dinner, there's something extra satisfying about lasagna rolls - individual little bundles of pasta, prosciutto, spinach and cheese!
Pasta Alla Formiana
What makes this pasta so unique is that the noodles go into the oven raw, and soak up all the flavorful sauce as it bakes in the oven. PS - this one is completely vegan!
Baked Bechamel Pasta
It doesn't get much more comforting than this baked bechamel pasta with prosciutto - think of it like an updated, gourmet spin on mac and cheese!
Baked Penne With Squash And Goat Cheese
The combination of sweet winter squash and goat cheese is absolutely delicious, and it shines in this cozy fall-and-winter pasta.
