Description
This Red and White Pasta recipe combines classic marinara and creamy Alfredo sauces for a comforting, crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish. Layered with tender penne pasta and melty mozzarella cheese, it’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, delivering rich flavors with an easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (16 ounces) penne pasta
- 1 jar (26 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 jar (16 ounces) Alfredo sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Assemble Pasta Layers: Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cooked pasta over the sauce layer and spread it out evenly. Then pour half of the Alfredo sauce over the pasta, followed by half of the remaining marinara sauce, and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Repeat Layers and Bake: Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, Alfredo sauce, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the pasta is thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the foil and let the baked pasta cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy this rich and cheesy pasta dish!
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding cooked Italian sausage or sautéed vegetables between the layers.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or ziti for different textures.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead, refrigerated, and baked just before serving.
