This two timing pasta bake uses simple store bought ingredients including marinara sauce and alfredo sauce from a jar. It's really fast and easy to prepare.
Most people have a hard time choosing between Marinara and Alfredo sauce. This recipe makes it easy for you and combines both Worlds with the two sauces in one easy pasta bake your whole family will love! Hence the name of the recipe! Serve it with some baked breadsticks or garlic bread on the side with a side salad.
If you like pasta recipes try out Baked Feta Pasta, Spicy Sausage Pasta, or Cheeseburger Pasta.
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Recipe Tips and Tricks
Sauce: Don’t like using jars of pasta sauce or Alfredo sauce? Use your own favorite recipes for this. Make my Basic Marinara Sauce recipe.
Add in protein: To make this dish a bit more filling add in some Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
Pasta: Seriously, any type of pasta will work for this recipe but sometimes we don’t always have penne pasta on hand. Try bowtie or some other fun shaped pasta.
Ingredients Needed
- Penne pasta is a type of pasta that is cylindrical in shape and has a hollow interior. It originated in Italy.
- Alfredo sauce (such as Classico Light Alfredo Sauce) - is a rich and creamy sauce that is commonly used in Italian cuisine. It is made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, and can be seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Store-Bought Marinara typically refers to a pre-made tomato-based sauce that can be purchased at a grocery store. It is a convenient option for those who want to save time in the kitchen. I love Rao's marinara.
- Shredded Reduced-Fat Cheese has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
- Shredded parmesan cheese - is a hard, granular cheese that originated in Italy. It is typically made from cow's milk and has a sharp, nutty flavor. Parmesan cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and other foods.
- See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Two Timing Pasta Bake
Step 1: Cook pasta according to directions and drain. 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 2: Mix the two sauces together in a large bowl. Add the mozzarella and stir to combine. Then toss in the penne and toss to coat.
Step 3: Pour pasta into a 9x13 baking dish and cook on 350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 minutes.
Recipe Tip: If the Parmesan cheese doesn't melt on the top set the oven to broil and leave it under the broiler for a couple minutes until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
Serving size: 1 cup
Other Recipes to Try
If you tried this Two Timing Pasta Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
Recipe from Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hour
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Two Timing Pasta Bake
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 to 25 min
- Total Time: 55 minute
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Most people have a hard time choosing between Marinara and Alfredo sauce. This recipe makes it easy for you and combines both Worlds with the two sauces in one easy pasta bake your whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 (16oz) box penne pasta
- 1 (15 oz.) jar Alfredo sauce (such as Classico Light Alfredo Sauce)
- 1 (24oz.) jar Marinara sauce (any jar will work)
- 2 cups shredded lite mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Mix the sauces together in a large bowl.
Add the mozzarella and stir to combine. Then toss in the penne and toss to coat.
Pour pasta into 9x13 baking dish and cook on 350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 minutes.
Serving size: 1 cup
Notes
My WW Personal Points: 11 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)
If the Parmesan cheese doesn't melt on the top set the oven to broil and leave it under the broiler for a couple minutes until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
Jenna says
Sounds good with the chicken!
James says
I baked a chicken breast with italian seasoning, pepper, and a pinch of salt, shredded it and mixed it in.
Rain rain says
our family loved this for friday night. we ate leftovers all weekend.
I sprinkled fresh garlic and pamesan close to the end of baking.
Aimee says
This was very good! I browned some ground meat with diced onions and garlic and used rotini pasta. Delicious
Jenna says
Yes
Susan says
Can you taste the alfredo sauce in this?
Jenna says
Thanks for the review Brenna!
Brenna says
So simple & delicious!!
I use Signature brand Alfredo sauce & Classico garlic spaghetti sauce!
I brown some ground beef with minced garlic, onion powder, basil, salt, pepper & an Italian seasoning blend.
I cook red lentil pasta for this recipe as well.
I mix it all together with some ricotta cheese & mozzarella shredded cheese and put it in the baking dish. Topped with more mozzarella. YUM!!
Jenna says
Thank you for the question. Recipe is updated.
Marly says
What size penne pasta box did you use?