Chances are you’ve had rotini pasta. You might not know the name, but I’m sure you’ve had this type of pasta in a pasta salad or with a quick pasta sauce. Rotini originated in Southern Italy and its name translates to “small wheels”. Its well-known corkscrew shape is super popular with kids, for obvious reasons! Beyond being a fun shape is also a great option for Italian recipes for practical reasons. The spirals can carry sauce and the dense structure can hold up to being soaked or baked, like in this rotini pasta bake!
Why you’ll love it
One pan is all you need to make dinner. Just toss everything together and bake! Simple ingredients that everyone loves. Marinara sauce, cheese, and pasta! Cottage cheese adds more protein than a typical pasta bake and tons of creaminess, so no one even notices it’s there!
Ingredients for Baked Rotini Pasta
Making this pasta sauce only requires some basic ingredients that are specifically designed for maximum flavor. Here are the main ingredients but be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full list!
Rotini: This pasta shape is the perfect length for forkability (the ability to pick it up with a fork) and it’s uber fun! But, if you must, you can use any other similar shape like penne. Marinara AND Pesto: Marinara sauce adds the sweetness that every pasta needs. And the pesto adds that fresh herb flavor without having to chop them all up. You can use store-bought, but I always love to use homemade pesto and marinara when possible. Cottage Cheese: This is my trick to insanely creamy pasta! It’s a bonus that it’s high in protein too. My nutritionist and food scientist brain loves a good nutrition and cooking hack!
How to make a Ricotta Pasta Bake
This recipe is very simple to make, even the kids can help out! While you get the pasta cooking, you can skim through these instructions. For the full list, be sure to scroll to the recipe card.
how to cook pasta to al dente
Cooking pasta to al dente can be a little tricky. The first thing to know – what is al dente? It’s when the pasta is cooked through but when you bite into it, it retains some of its texture. This is important for baked recipes since the pasta will be cooked again, and you don’t want it to overcook and become mushy. To cook pasta (rotini in this case) to al dente: You can also cook pasta in the microwave in a pinch!
Why this Recipe Works
This recipe has been well-tested to make sure it works perfectly for you. Here are a few things I did to make sure it does!
Pesto and marinara add a depth of flavor without adding additional ingredients. Using sauces that already have different ingredients is one of my favorite ways to pack in more flavor. Rotini pasta is super fun and hearty enough to be baked. Did someone say kid-friendly?? Enough sauce because one of the biggest complaints of baked pasta is it’s dry. So, this meatless rotini pasta bake is nice and saucy!
How long does rotini pasta last?
Leftovers of this rotini pasta will last for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I make baked pasta in advance?
Yes, to make it in advance, you can assemble it, wrap or cover it, and then stick it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to cook, remove it from the fridge and bake as directed. You can so freeze the prepared dish for up to a month – just let it thaw before baking.
Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free here in place of the rotini pasta.
Family-Friendly Sides To pair with rotini pasta
While the baked rotini pasta bakes its bubbly cheesy goodness magic, you can involve the family in making any of these side dishes. I’ve also included dessert, because why not?
Tomato Bruschetta is easy for little hands to assemble and can be customized by each person. Summer Veggie Salad is not only a great contrast to the cozy baked pasta but is filled with lots of colorful vegetables. We love to eat the rainbow here! Greek Salad Sushi is another no-bake hit that can be assembled and rolled up to snack on while the pasta bakes. Feta Frozen Yogurt is one of my favorite ice cream-type recipes! It’s creamy, salty, and delicious – who wouldn’t love to end dinner with this?!
