Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes Bring On The Comfort – Giadzy (2024)

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

Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes Bring On The Comfort – Giadzy (1)

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!

Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes Bring On The Comfort – Giadzy (2)

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.

Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes Bring On The Comfort – Giadzy (5)

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!


Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes Bring On The Comfort – Giadzy (8)

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.

Giada's Baked Pasta Recipes Bring On The Comfort – Giadzy (2024)

FAQs

Why is baked pasta so good? ›

If there's anything more comforting than boiled pasta in a sauce, it's got to be baked pasta in a sauce. The baking adds a crispy crust that is such a delicious contrast to the tender goodness of the dish. The challenge is to how to get the pasta to turn out just right.

Should I cover my pasta bake? ›

We add stock to the baking dish along with the chopped tomatoes and veggies and cover with tinfoil before popping in the oven which keeps the heat and moisture in allowing the pasta to cook perfectly.

What is nice to add to pasta? ›

Adding a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese with the butter is a good way to make an instant creamy sauce without making it watery. Toss some peas, red pepper flakes, and a lemon squeeze and you've got a lovely dish with zero extra cooking. Everything just gets tossed with the hot noodles.

How to make pasta bake from a jar? ›

Instructions: As easy as 1, 2, 3...1 Preheat your oven (200°C/Gas mark 6/Fan 180°C). 2 Put 200g dry pasta into a 1.5L shallow ovenproof dish. Pour on the sauce and fill the empty jar to the top of the label with cold water and stir into the pasta, coating well. 3 Bake uncovered, for 25 minutes.

Do Italians eat baked pasta? ›

A pasta meal was an opportunity for a chef to show off his creativity and resourcefulness. Eventually baked pasta, or pasta al forno, was adopted all over Italy. Today, baked pasta is a staple dish of Southern Italy, where it's usually made on Sundays, holidays and special occasions.

Why is pasta so much better in Italy? ›

First, Italian pasta usually tastes better because it is made differently. Italian pasta has to adhere to strict standards that have been set by the government. Usually, Italian pasta is made from 100 percent durum wheat, which is usually called semolina flour. Therefore, Italian pasta is higher in protein.

How do you keep baked pasta from drying out? ›

Make sure you bake it at 350 degrees, use a deep dish and cover it with foil. I always add a lot of sauce and that helps prevent the dried out top layer. Take out of the oven as soon as cheese is melted and golden. It's also important to make sure all pasta is covered with sauce.

How do you keep pasta from drying out in the oven? ›

If you're worried about your leftovers being too dry, you can add an extra dollop of pasta sauce or even a few drops of water to the baking dish.

What gives pasta more flavor? ›

This is the time to add a final hit of black pepper, grated cheese and a splash of acidity – red or white wine vinegar or lemon juice to brighten up the flavour. I often stir some chopped basil, parsley, rocket (arugula) or watercress through once the pan is off the heat.

What spices to add to pasta? ›

A good base of basil, thyme, oregano, and garlic powder is enough to turn a bland marinara sauce into delicious pasta dinners. Great for all sorts of dishes.

Can you use any sauce for pasta bake? ›

It's so easy and inexpensive to make your own, but if you're pushed for time, any shop-bought tomato-based pasta sauce will be fine. I will admit to using these quite regularly! Just check the ingredients list first – it should be short and all ingredients should be recognisable!

How much liquid do you use to bake pasta? ›

Add enough liquid

Even though we're not boiling a pot, our pasta still needs liquid to cook. In your baking dish, combine your noodles with all of your other ingredients and around ½ a cup of water. The noodles will absorb the water as they cook. The final dish will be saucy and moist, but not watery.

Why is homemade pasta so good? ›

The only way to be sure of the quality and freshness of the ingredients is when you buy them yourself. From the start to the end, you know what you have put in your dough, in the filling, and that the nutritional value of your food is mostly preserved. Only for this reason, making pasta from scratch is worth a try.

What makes pasta so delicious? ›

The tangy, salty, spicy and sometimes a tad sweet taste is just mouthwatering. There is little that that could go wrong with this delicacy. You can even add other things as in meatballs, lasagna etc that blends in with pasta just perfectly. The flavor and aroma of pasta are what makes it so popular among people.

Why does homemade pasta taste better? ›

When making homemade pasta, you are using fresher and healthier ingredients without preservatives. This offers better nourishment, and it reflects in the texture and taste.

What's the difference between lasagna and baked pasta? ›

Lasagna and baked pasta are both baked Italian dishes, but they have some key differences: Noodles: Lasagna typically uses wide, flat lasagna noodles made from wheat flour and eggs. Baked pasta can use various types of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 5865

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.