26 Pasta Bake Recipes That Make Great Leftovers

July 28, 2020

These pasta bake recipes are the perfect weeknight dinner option. Whether it’s an Italian-inspired recipe or a spin on classics like mac and cheese and tuna noodle casserole, the oven helps create a gooey and tasty dinner that you’ll want to eat over and over. Recipes like Ham & Chard Stuffed Shells and Mac & Cheese with Charred Broccoli & Onion are filling, flavorful and make great leftovers to enjoy throughout the week.

Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Chicken, Peppers & Pasta Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You can assemble this healthy chicken casserole before you leave for a party and pop it in the oven at the host's house. Or bake it at home and bring it along--it's delicious at room temperature too. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2017

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

Ham & Chard Stuffed Shells

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy stuffed shells recipe, tons of dark leafy chard replaces some of the cheese. Kale and/or collards are good substitutes for the chard as well. Serve with a salad with Italian vinaigrette. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2015

3 of 26

One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Finish the dish under the broiler to achieve a delicious melted cheese crust. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2018

Advertisement

4 of 26

Sausage & Peppers Baked Ziti

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy baked ziti recipe doesn't require any chopping and is made on the stovetop, so it is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Using whole-wheat pasta adds fiber; opt for penne if whole-wheat ziti is hard to find. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2013

5 of 26

Gruyere, Asparagus & Pea Baked Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy casserole recipe contains tons of veggies alongside whole-wheat pasta for a satisfying dinner kids and adults will enjoy. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2016

6 of 26

Spinach & Tuna Noodle Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Homemade mushroom sauce kicks the can of soup out of the picture in this veggie-centric, healthy riff on a classic tuna-noodle casserole recipe. Serve with steamed green beans. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2015

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

Mac & Cheese with Charred Broccoli & Onion

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this recipe we've taken basic macaroni and cheese to a whole new level. Charred broccoli and onions are added to cooked elbow pasta, mixed together in a mustardy cheese sauce and cooked on a sheet-pan in the oven. Simple to make, and not much to clean up! Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

8 of 26

Eggplant & Chickpea Baked Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Turn leftover Eggplant & Chickpea Stew into a comforting vegetarian baked-pasta dish. We love the taste of mint with the other Mediterranean flavors, but you can use parsley or basil if you prefer. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2011

9 of 26

Sloppy Joe Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Like sloppy Joes? Then you'll love this sloppy Joe casserole recipe. This kid-friendly dinner has the classic sloppy Joe flavors kids love, while parents will like all the veggies that are packed in to make it a healthy meal. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2019

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Simplify weeknight dinnertime by transforming leftover slow-cooked chicken (see associated recipe, below) into an easy, cheesy casserole. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

11 of 26

Baked Cavatelli Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy to make, comforting dish will keep you warm on a cold day. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

12 of 26

Mexican Beef Bake with Cilantro-Lime Cream

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This hearty casserole features ground beef, beans, and pasta baked in a flavorful Mexican-inspired sauce and topped with cheese and sour cream. Kids will love it! Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

Turkey & Ricotta Stuffed Shells

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This crowd-pleasing, make-ahead pasta dish uses lean ground turkey instead of ground beef and sneaks in zucchini, which helps you eat more vegetables and helps keep the filling moist. Assemble the shells and then freeze to bake off on a busy day for easy, healthy meal prep at its best. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2018

14 of 26

Baked Penne Florentine

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This comforting and flavorful vegetarian dish is packed with protein. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

15 of 26

Mile-High Beefy Mac and Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This one-dish meal is a combination of two favorites--hamburgers and macaroni and cheese. Add in some broccoli and carrots and a creamy cheese sauce and you've got a meal the whole family will appreciate. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Chicken-Noodle Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Flavorful Chicken-Noodle Casserole comes to life with this diabetic-friendly recipe. Select light sour cream to lower fat and calorie content. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

17 of 26

Spinach & Mushroom Tortellini Bake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cheesy tortellini bake is a dish the whole family will love--it's filled with sweet-tasting marinara, mushrooms and spinach and topped with melted cheese. Complete the meal, plus get in another vegetable serving, by adding a side of broccoli or a small green salad. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

18 of 26

Easy Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This classic beef lasagna recipe is easy to make and will be ready to eat in just over an hour. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

Baked Ratatouille-Sausage Penne

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In the mood for Italian? Try this low-fat sausage-and-eggplant one-dish meal recipe. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

20 of 26

Baked Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mac & cheese can be a true comfort on a gloomy day, and our healthy update takes advantage of extra-sharp Cheddar balanced with creamy low-fat cottage cheese and tucks a layer of spinach into the middle, which may help picky eaters down their vegetables. Whole-wheat pasta adds robust flavor and extra fiber. Source: EatingWell Magazine, Winter 2004

21 of 26

Beefy Stuffed Shells

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a hearty beef and mushroom filling are baked with tomato sauce and cheese for an Italian-style dinner that's ready in less than an hour. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Use reduced fat soup and fat-free milk to make this favorite casserole lower in fat and calories. Adding a variety of vegetables makes it more nutritious than the traditional recipe. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

23 of 26

Three Cheese Manicotti

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Using the crepe-like wraps in place of dried pasta shells makes this manicotti dinner a great one to serve when entertaining. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

24 of 26

Spinach-Tomato Macaroni & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An old-school classic gets a boost of nutrition and flavor from garlicky spinach and tomatoes in this healthy mac and cheese recipe. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

Creamy Hamburger Noodle Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The EatingWell Test Kitchen takes lean ground beef and combines it with whole-grain bulgur, egg noodles and a creamy tomato sauce in a baked casserole topped with Cheddar. With less fat and calories than the original skillet meal, this dish is sure to become a new family favorite. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 1999

26 of 26

Baked Tortellini

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nutty-flavored fontina cheese gives this homey baked tortellini casserole a real taste twist and the cheesy breadcrumb topping makes it all but irresistible. You can easily double this recipe and make one for today and an extra to pop in the freezer for a heat-and-eat meal someday in the future. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November 1997

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next