Rotini Pasta Bake Casserole

This rotini pasta bake is your one-pan ticket to a hearty, cozy weeknight dinner (with hidden protein). Curly rotini pasta traps all that saucy goodness, making it great for the whole family and ridiculously easy to make—stir, bake, and dig in!

Your New Weeknight Dinner

Let’s talk rotini—the corkscrew pasta that everyone loves! Whether in pasta salads or drenched in marinara, those twisty spirals are a total sauce magnet.

Its fun shape makes rotini a total kid favorite (for obvious reasons), but it’s also a practical choice for recipes like this rotini pasta bake. The sturdy spirals soak up every drop of saucy, cheesy goodness and hold up to being baked!

One Pan, Big Flavor

• Crowd-Pleasing Ingredients: We’re talking marinara sauce, cheese, and pasta here. It doesn’t get much better than that!
• High In Protein: Cottage cheese adds more protein than a typical pasta bake (and tons of creaminess), so no one even notices it’s in there!
• One-Pan Meal: Who can argue with less prep work and fewer dishes?

Grab These Ingredients

You’ll just need a few basic ingredients to make this rotini pasta bake. This is only an overview—jump to the recipe card for the full list!

• Rotini: This pasta is the perfect length for ‘forkability’ (the ability to pick it up with a fork), and it’s super fun to eat! But, if you must, you can use any short pasta like penne.
• Sauces: Marinara sauce adds the sweetness that every pasta bake needs. And pesto? We use this vibrant green condiment for that refreshing, herb-y flavor. You can use store-bought, but I always recommend homemade pesto or homemade marinara when possible.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning create layers of flavor, while salt and pepper balance the whole dish.
• Cottage Cheese: We love a good cooking hack around here, and this is my food scientist’s trick to insanely creamy pasta! (It’s a bonus that it’s high in protein, too.)
• More Cheese: Gooey mozzarella takes this bake to the next level, and a sprinkle of Parmesan adds a nutty, savory finish. Always shred your cheese straight from the block for the best texture and flavor.

Making This Rotini Pasta Bake Is Easy

I’m not kidding when I say this recipe is seriously simple—even the kiddos can help out! For the full printable instructions, be sure to jump to the recipe card.

1. Cook the pasta to al dente.
2. Stir together everything in a large bowl.
3. Assemble it in a casserole dish and top with more cheese.
4. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered till golden brown.

how to cook pasta to al dente

Nailing that perfect al dente pasta texture can be a little tricky. But first—what exactly is al dente? It’s when your pasta is tender yet still has a slight bite, making it ideal for baked recipes where it’ll cook a little more in the oven. Here’s how to get your rotini just right:

1. Salt your pot of boiling water generously.
2. Cook the rotini for 7-10 minutes.
3. Taste test around the 7-minute mark (you’re looking for tender pasta with a slight firmness in the center).
4. Once the pasta hits that sweet spot, strain it immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Recipe Testing Notes

This recipe has been well-tested to make sure it works perfectly for you. Here are a few things I did to make sure it does!

• Use A Fun Pasta Shape: If you don’t have rotini on hand, switch it up with other fun shapes! Try cavatappi, farfalle (bow ties), or shells for a kid-friendly twist!
• Boost The Nutrients: Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for a nutritional boost, or throw in plant-based sausage or ground meat for a heartier bake.
• Add Enough Sauce: One of the biggest complaints of baked pasta is that it’s too dry. So, be generous to ensure every bite is coated in saucy, cheesy deliciousness.

Plays Well With

While the rotini pasta bakes into a bubbly, cheesy masterpiece, involve the family in making any of these side dishes!

• Tomato Bruschetta: This appetizer is easy enough for little hands to assemble and can be customized by each person.
• Summer Veggie Salad: We love to eat the rainbow here, and this colorful salad makes a great complement to the cozy baked pasta!