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5 from 15 votes
Home By Course Main Entrees Dinner Casserole

Easy Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake

This Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake is the easiest meal prep or weeknight dinner option! It's made with rotini pasta, hearty meat sauce, and lots of melty cheese - seriously the best type of lightened up comfort food!

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By: Lauren published: Nov. 29, 2022 updated: Feb. 09, 2024 14 Comments

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Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish after being baked.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations
How To Make
Time Saver Tip: Prepare in Advance!
FAQ: Rotini Pasta Bake
More Delicious Pasta Recipes To Try
Easy Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Get ready for a new favorite dinner recipe you guys! This pasta bake is packed with protein, fresh Italian flavor and cheesy goodness. It’s a 5 star dinner recipe the whole family can get on board with! I love serving this easy pasta bake with a simple side of Air Fryer Broccoli or Green Beans!

Not only is this pasta bake great for easy dinners, but it’s also a great option to meal prep for the week. Do all the work at the beginning of the week and enjoy the pasta bake for lunches or dinners all week long!

It’s a great choice for meal prep because it holds up in the fridge and reheats well. You can even freeze it!

This baked pasta is also a great “casserole type” meal to give to a neighbor or friend since it does reheat so well. Not to mention that everyone loves pasta so you know you’re picking a winner!

Feel free to get creative with this recipe too! There are some many fun additions to try! Try adding fresh spinach, fresh mushrooms, or bell peppers to the meat sauce. Or adding a few sprinkles of red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and yummy parmesan cheese!

Need something a little lower carb but equally delicious? Check out my Baked Spaghetti Squash Casserole for the ultimate low carb, high volume dish!

Rotini pasta bake on a plate.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake

  • Cheesy beefy pasta. Warm pasta, hearty beef, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheese. What’s not to love?!
  • Macro-friendly pasta! Packed with 35 grams of protein!!!
  • Great weeknight meal option. Comes together in just 45 minutes!
  • Easy, short list of ingredients. Just 8 ingredients not including the salt and pepper.
  • Great meal prep recipe – also a great casserole dish to give to a friend or neighbor.
  • A faster, healthier, and easier comfort food!
  • Family family – everyone will LOVE this one!!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for rotini pasta bake.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Pasta- I used whole wheat rotini pasta. Any short of pasta shape would work here! Rigatoni, spiral, penne, elbow macaroni.
  • Ground beef– I used 96/4 lean ground beef. You could also use ground chicken or ground turkey. Shredded chicken or diced chicken would also work.
  • Garlic- I used garlic cloves but you can also use minced garlic or sub with garlic powder.
  • Marinara sauce- Any marinara pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce of your choice works here! Use your favorite! I love Rao’s brand.
  • Cottage cheese- I used 2% cottage cheese. You could also use ricotta cheese!
  • Egg – omit if vegan.
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Seasonings: Grab some Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper!

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations

  • Alfredo sauce – switch out the marinara sauce for Alfredo sauce for a tasty Alfredo bake.
  • Switch the noodles – instead of rotini, try rigatoni, elbow, penne, spiral, or any other short pasta!
  • Chicken pasta bake – use shredded or diced chicken in place of the beef. You could even use rotisserie chicken.
  • Add veggies – grilled onions, mushrooms or green peppers would be yummy additions and would boost the fiber.
  • Switch the cheese – instead of mozzarella, try a Mexican or Colby jack blend.
  • Make vegan – substitute ground beef for meatless crumbles or use your favorite protein source. You could also omit the meat completely and replace with veggies, such as mushrooms or eggplant. Omit the egg and swap out the cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese for non-dairy versions.

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

Cooked pasta in a bowl.

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 7×11-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and generously salt. Cook according to package directions or until al dente and rinse/ drain pasta when done. 

Cooked ground beef in a bowl.

2. While pasta is cooking, add the ground beef to a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking into pieces as you go, until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed. Then stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. 

Whisked eggs in a bowl.

3. To a large mixing bowl, add the egg and briefly whisk.

Rontini noodles mixed with cooked ground beef and sauce in a bowl.

4. Then add the beef, cooked rotini noodles 2 cups of the marinara sauce, cottage cheese, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix to combine.

Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish before being baked.

5. Then add to prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining one cup of marinara sauce and the remaining cheese.

Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish after being baked.

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese melts and is bubbly. 

Time Saver Tip: Prepare in Advance!

This Rotini Pasta Bake can also made ahead of time. You can prepare it a day or two ahead of time and place in the fridge until ready to bake.

Keep it mind you may need to bake it a few minutes longer since the the casserole dish will be cold. If I am doing this, typically I will take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before baking.

You can even make this a freezer meal! Simply store in a freezer safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 4 months.

Close up view of cheesy rotini pasta bake.

FAQ: Rotini Pasta Bake

Can you make this Rotini Pasta Bake gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Just be sure to use gluten-free pasta and the recipe is gluten free as written!

Can you use a different meat besides ground beef?

Most definitely. You could use ground turkey or chicken for lower fat. For even more flavor, you can substitute your ground beef for sweet or spicy Italian sausage. You can really use any meat you choose in this!

Can you use any kind of marinara sauce?

Yes! Any kind of red sauce will work! My favorite sauce is Rao’s brand. Use your favorite red sauce of choice!

Can you make this Rotini bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can! You can prepare this pasta recipe a day or two ahead of time and place in the fridge until ready to bake. Keep it mind you may need to bake it a few minutes longer since the the casserole dish will be cold. You can even make this a freezer meal! Store in a freezer safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 4 months

More Delicious Pasta Recipes To Try

Mushroom beef pasta in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

One Pot (30 minute!) Zucchini Mushroom Beef Pasta

Healthy mexican mac and cheese in a bowl with a spoon.

Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese

Healthy skillet lasagna with a wooden spoon.

30 Minute Healthy Skillet Lasagna (One Pan)

Buffalo chicken mac and cheese with cauliflower in small bowl garnished with Ritz crackers.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower 

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish after being baked.
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5 from 15 votes

Easy Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake

? Gluten-Free ? High Protein ? Macro-friendly
This Healthy Rotini Pasta Bake is the easiest meal prep or weeknight dinner option! It's made with rotini pasta, hearty meat sauce, and lots of melty cheese – seriously the best type of lightened up comfort food!
Yield: 6
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 40 minutes mins
Total: 45 minutes mins
Calories: 383kcal
Protein: 35.7g
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 37.6g

Ingredients

  • 8- oz. uncooked whole wheat rotini pasta (224g) or other short pasta
  • 1 lb. 96/4 ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (750g) divided
  • 1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese (113g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (112g) divided

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 7×11-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and generously salt. Cook according to package directions and rinse/drain when done.
  • While pasta is cooking, add the ground beef to a skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking into pieces as you go, until no longer pink. Then stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper.
  • To a large mixing bowl, add the egg and briefly whisk. Then add the beef, cooked pasta, 2 cups of the marinara sauce, cottage cheese, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix to combine, then add to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining one cup of marinara sauce and the remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melty and bubbly.

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free pasta.
To make dairy-free: use dairy-free shredded cheese and dairy-free ricotta cheese.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/6 of bake (300g), Calories: 383kcal (19%), Carbohydrates: 37.6g (13%), Protein: 35.7g (71%), Fat: 10g (15%), Saturated Fat: 3.2g (20%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 6.4g (7%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Rotini Pasta Bake

© Author: Lauren

Rotini pasta bake in a baking dish after being baked.

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Lauren

Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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