14 Best Baked Pasta Recipes for Winter: Cozy Dishes to Try

There's something incredibly comforting about a warm, baked pasta dish when the temperatures start to drop and winter settles in. These meals not only soothe the soul but also fill the house with inviting, mouth-watering aromas. Over the years, I’ve gathered some of my all-time favorite recipes that are perfect for those chilly months. In this blog post, I’m thrilled to share the “14 Best Baked Pasta Recipes for Winter: Cozy Dishes to Try.”

These recipes are easy to whip up, making them ideal for cozy family dinners or when you have company over. So grab your apron and let's dive into these scrumptious baked pasta dishes that are sure to warm you up from the inside out.

1. Classic Baked Ziti

Nothing beats a classic. Baked Ziti is a traditional favorite that never fails to please.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage. Drain excess fat.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

2. Spinach and Artichoke Baked Pasta

Inspired by the popular dip, this dish combines spinach and artichokes to create a tangy, creamy delight.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pasta shells
• 1 jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, artichoke hearts, spinach, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, sour cream, and salt and pepper.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

3. Cheesy Beef and Macaroni

This hearty dish is loaded with ground beef and plenty of cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, sauté the ground beef and onion until the beef is cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
4. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, beef mixture, marinara sauce, and cheddar cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

4. Chicken Alfredo Bake

Creamy Alfredo meets tender chicken in this rich and satisfying dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

5. Butternut Squash and Sage Pasta Bake

This dish combines the subtle sweetness of butternut squash with the earthy flavor of sage.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound rigatoni pasta
• 3 cups butternut squash, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 cups béchamel sauce
• 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Toss the butternut squash with olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper. Roast the squash in the oven for 20-25 minutes until tender.
3. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
4. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, roasted squash, béchamel sauce, and fontina cheese.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.

6. Seafood Pasta Bake

This elegant dish is perfect for a special winter dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fusilli pasta
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound bay scallops
• 2 cups creamy white sauce
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the fusilli pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, sauté the shrimp and scallops until barely cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, seafood, white sauce, and Gruyère cheese.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

7. Veggie Lover's Baked Pasta

Packed with veggies, this dish is as wholesome as it is delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound rotini pasta
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the zucchini, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, sautéed vegetables, and marinara sauce.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

8. Sausage and Kale Baked Pasta

A hearty, nutrient-packed dish that will keep you warm on cold nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound rigatoni pasta
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, cook the sausage until browned. Add the kale and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine pasta, sausage, kale, tomato sauce, and ricotta cheese.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

9. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Perfect for those who love a little spice in their lives.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1 cup Buffalo sauce
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and top with blue cheese crumbles.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is bubbly and slightly browned.

10. Broccoli and Cheddar Pasta Bake

A delightful combination of tender broccoli and rich cheddar cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cavatappi pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups cheddar cheese sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the cavatappi pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. Steam the broccoli florets until tender.
4. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, and cheddar cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

11. Truffle Mushroom Pasta Bake

An upscale dish with the luxurious flavor of truffle.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fettuccine pasta
• 2 cups mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup truffle cream sauce
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the mushrooms until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, mushrooms, and truffle cream sauce.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

12. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Pasta

A creamy, cheesy delight that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fettuccine pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. Steam the broccoli florets until tender.
4. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, chicken, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

13. Eggplant Parmesan Pasta Bake

A twist on the classic Italian dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 medium eggplant, diced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the eggplant until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, eggplant, and marinara sauce.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

14. Creamy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake

A rich and creamy dish packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a skillet, cook the sausage until browned. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, sausage, spinach, and Alfredo sauce.
5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

Conclusion

These recipes showcase a variety of flavors and ingredients, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whichever you choose, you're in for a cozy winter meal that's sure to satisfy. Enjoy!