What Was Best: Three-Cheese Baked Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crowd-pleasing baked pasta featuring a perfect blend of mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta cheeses. This dish is the best of Italian comfort food, with tender pasta and vibrant tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs rigatoni, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Step 2: Cook 12 oz rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant (do not brown).
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes are slightly softened.
  5. Step 5: In a large bowl, combine drained rigatoni, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Stir in the tomato mixture from the skillet until well combined.
  7. Step 7: Transfer to the prepared baking dish and top with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden at the edges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does What Was Best: Three-Cheese Baked Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover What Was Best: Three-Cheese Baked Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rigatoni from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in What Was Best: Three-Cheese Baked Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale What Was Best: Three-Cheese Baked Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with What Was Best: Three-Cheese Baked Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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