Pasta Bake

My daughter thinks the name sounds too boring for such a delicious meal and keeps suggesting alternatives like “cheesy, tomatoey divinity”. I think readers are more likely to be repulsed by her suggestions, so I have yet to change the name to something more exciting.

Ingredients:

1 lb. rotini or penne pasta noodles, uncooked (I like Trader Joe’s gf brown rice pasta)
3 cups of your favorite spaghetti sauce
3 cups water
1/2 pound of cooked ground beef/turkey (optional, I prefer mine without meat, my kids prefer meat)
1 -2 cups of your favorite cheese, grated

If you are going to use include meat in this dish, brown it in a skillet. While the meat is browning, place uncooked pasta noodles in a 13×9 baking dish. In a large bowl combine the spaghetti sauce, water, and meat. Pour spaghetti sauce mixture over noodles, mix enough to ensure the noodles are coated. Cover with foil and bake at 425 for 30 minutes or until the noodles are al dente. Spread cheese over the top and bake for 5 – 10 minutes more uncovered or until the cheese is completely melted. Let rest for several minutes before serving.

The extra water is absorbed by the noodles, which eliminates the step of cooking the noodles in this easy one dish meal. I serve it with a salad. Makes 6 -8 generous servings.

Do you have any tricks for eliminating a step when you cook? I love finding ways to minimize cooking time, dishes, or both!