Name: Super Easy Pasta Bake
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 jar of pasta sauce; 1 can of diced tomatoes; 1 cup water; 2 cups elbow macaroni; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Super Easy Pasta Bake

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Super Easy Pasta Bake

1 jar of pasta sauce(24 oz. per jar)

1 can of diced tomatoes(14.5 oz. per can, including liquid)

1 cup water

2 cups elbow macaroni(uncooked)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Mix the pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, and water in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Stir the uncooked elbow macaroni into the sauce mixture.

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake the pasta on middle rack of oven until noodles are tender, about 45 minutes.

Carefully remove the foil. Sprinkle the cheese over the pasta and continue baking until cheese is bubbly and melted, about 5 minutes.

Check to see that pasta bake is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.

Serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Video Tutorial Bite Tutorial

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Undercook the Pasta Slightly 🍝
Use pasta that's 1-2 minutes shy of al dente, since it will continue cooking in the oven and absorb liquid from the sauce, preventing mushiness.
Layer Your Liquids Strategically 💧
Mix the water directly into your pasta sauce before combining with pasta to ensure even hydration throughout the dish, rather than adding water separately.
Reserve Mozzarella for the Top 🧀
Save about one-third of your shredded mozzarella to sprinkle on top just before baking, creating a golden, crispy cheese crust while the bottom stays creamy.
Tent with Foil Initially ✨
Cover the baking dish with foil for the first 20 minutes to trap steam and cook the pasta through, then uncover for the final 10-15 minutes to brown the cheese.
Boost Sauce Depth with Seasoning 🌟
Add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity, plus dried oregano and a dash of garlic powder to the pasta sauce—this elevates the simple jar sauce to restaurant quality.