There is nothing like a hot and hearty pasta dish to fill you up or to share with friends at a potluck dinner. These pasta casseroles are perfect for hungry families, because most can serve as a meal in one dish. And virtually all can be made in advance. Sometimes I make a double batch and freeze half. If you want to do that, just be sure to let the casserole cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil and store in the freezer. A day or two before you're ready to serve, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator (it will need at least 24 hours and possibly more if it is thick, like a lasagna). Then bake at 350 until warmed through and bubbly.
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Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta
Stephanie Gallagher
Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy mixture of spinach and ricotta cheese in this tasty casserole. This is another great make-ahead freezer meal.
Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Stephanie Gallagher
How do you make an already wonderfully comforting dish like mac and cheese even better? By adding bacon, of course. This pasta casserole rocks. The recipe calls for topping with French fried onions, but you can also use those gourmet crispy onions, typically found in the produce section of most supermarkets. They're a perfect contrast to the creamy interior of this casserole.
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Baked Ziti with Sausage
Stephanie Gallagher
With just six ingredients, this recipe is a snap to prepare. Feel free to substitute ricotta for the cottage cheese. And if you happen to have homemade spaghetti sauce on hand, use that instead of the jarred sauce.
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Stephanie Gallagher
Frozen butternut squash puree and oven-ready lasagna noodles (no need to cook them) make this lasagna easy to prepare. Even if you think you (or your kids) don't like butternut squash, give this recipe a try. It's sweet and rich and the squash is bathed in so much cheese and pasta, the kids will hardly notice it.
Baked Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
I call this my five-ingredient, five-minute casserole because it, of course, has only five ingredients and takes only five minutes of active prep time to make (not including baking time). The kids love this simple dish. Dress it up with your favorite pizza toppings. I've tried everything from sliced black olives to diced red and green peppers to pepperoni. They're all good.
Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
Penne pasta, chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, fresh baby spinach and three kinds of cheese are the basis for this luscious casserole. It's special enough to serve to company, yet easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner.
Meat Lasagna Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
This is a classic lasagna, made with ground beef and ricotta cheese. It also has asiago cheese, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese for an extra cheesy, extra rich flavor the whole family will enjoy.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Jean-Francois Rivière/Getty Images
There is nothing quite like a good homemade mac and cheese (the boxed stuff doesn't even come close). And this recipe is so rich with flavor, you will want to make it again and again. The good news is this casserole freezes beautifully, so make a double batch and freeze half for later.
Don't Miss: Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Baked Tortellini Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
Fresh baby spinach adds color, flavor and nutrition to this comforting casserole. You can use any kind of tortellini for this recipe. If you're a vegetarian, use cheese or, if you can find it, butternut squash tortellini. If you're a meat-eater, meat, chicken or pork tortellini works great in this recipe.
Chicken Manicotti Recipe
Stephanie Gallagher
This recipe could not be any easier. You just assemble the casserole the night before (you don't even need to cook the manicotti first), let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, then bake. Although the recipe calls for smoked mozzarella cheese (which does add incredible flavor), regular mozzarella works fine, too.
