One-Pot Cheesy Kid-Friendly Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A comforting, cheesy pasta bake that kids will love, made in one pot with simple ingredients for easy cleanup. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz penne pasta, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves if using, and serve warm for a kid-friendly, cheesy pasta meal.

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