16 Baked Italian Pasta Recipes You’ll Always Crave

When you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and deeply satisfying, baked Italian pasta always hits the spot. These dishes are bubbling with rich sauces, gooey cheese, and hearty pasta layers that feel like a hug from the inside.

Whether it’s Sunday dinner or a weeknight craving, there’s a baked pasta recipe for every mood.

Here are 16 irresistible options that bring that straight-from-the-oven magic.

1. Classic Baked Ziti

A staple in Italian-American kitchens, baked ziti layers tubular pasta with marinara, ricotta, and melted mozzarella.

Its rich tomato base gets a savory kick from garlic and herbs, while the baked top turns golden and crisp.

2. Three-Cheese Lasagna

This lasagna doesn’t hold back—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan melt together between sheets of pasta and rich meat sauce.

A slow bake brings everything together, creating forkfuls of cheesy comfort and deep, tomatoey goodness.

3. Pasta Al Forno With Meatballs

This Southern Italian classic combines baked pasta with juicy homemade meatballs and a generous splash of red sauce.

A sprinkle of provolone over the top ensures a bubbly, golden crust that locks in flavor.

4. Eggplant and Ricotta Cannelloni

Thin eggplant slices wrap around creamy ricotta, then get smothered in marinara and baked to perfection.

The result is tender, tangy, and satisfying, with a hint of smoky sweetness from the roasted eggplant.

5. Baked Spaghetti Pie

Cooked spaghetti is mixed with eggs and cheese, pressed into a pie dish, and baked into a crispy-edged casserole.

Inside, marinara and mozzarella create a gooey center that makes every bite nostalgic and fun.

6. Spinach And Cheese Stuffed Shells

Jumbo pasta shells get packed with ricotta, spinach, and herbs, then blanketed in tomato sauce and melted cheese.

Each bite delivers a soft, creamy filling balanced by a tangy, oven-roasted sauce.

7. Creamy Baked Tortellini

Cheese-filled tortellini are tossed in a béchamel or Alfredo-style sauce, then baked under a golden cheese crust.

It’s rich, velvety, and loaded with cozy flavor that clings to every little pasta pouch.

8. Baked Penne Arrabbiata

Penne gets a fiery twist with spicy arrabbiata sauce, then heads to the oven topped with shredded mozzarella.

That mix of heat and cheese creates a satisfying contrast that wakes up the taste buds.

9. Italian Sausage Rigatoni Bake

Savory sausage crumbles into a garlicky tomato sauce, folded through rigatoni and topped with sharp provolone.

Baking deepens the flavors, making it smoky, hearty, and hard to stop eating.

10. Pesto Alfredo Pasta Bake

Basil pesto and Alfredo sauce join forces in this bright, creamy pasta bake that feels indulgent yet fresh.

Tossed with short pasta and finished under the broiler, the top gets lightly browned and bursting with aroma.

11. Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole

All the flavors of chicken parm—breaded pieces, marinara, and mozzarella—get baked with pasta into one dreamy dish.

The crispy chicken bits hold their crunch beneath gooey cheese and saucy pasta layers.

12. Ricotta-Stuffed Manicotti

Manicotti tubes cradle herbed ricotta filling, then get drenched in marinara and showered with melted cheese.

The result is rich, creamy, and tender with just enough bite from the baked edges.

13. Bolognese Pasta Bake

A slow-cooked Bolognese sauce is folded into pasta and baked under a blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan.

It’s deeply savory, hearty, and full of that slow-simmered meat sauce magic.

14. Mozzarella And Tomato Pasta Gratin

Bright cherry tomatoes burst into sweetness in the oven, pairing beautifully with bubbling mozzarella.

The baked crust adds texture to this fresh-tasting dish, perfect for summer or anytime you crave lighter comfort.

15. Mushroom And Truffle Pasta Al Forno

Earthy mushrooms and a splash of truffle oil elevate this pasta bake into elegant, umami-packed territory.

This one is creamy and luxurious, with every forkful hinting at forest floor richness and depth.

16. Cheesy Gnocchi Bake

Potato gnocchi soak up creamy tomato sauce and melt into a tender, pillowy bake topped with golden cheese.

It’s light on effort but big on flavor, delivering forkfuls that melt in your mouth with every bite.