Quick & Flavorful Honeycomb Pasta Bake Recipe for Cozy Nights

Honeycomb pasta brings a whimsical architectural wonder to dinner tables, changeing ordinary ingredients into a visual spectacle that delights both eyes and taste buds.

Intricate hexagonal shapes interlock like delicate geometric puzzles, creating a mesmerizing culinary landscape that promises comfort and excitement.

Crispy edges and creamy centers define this innovative dish, offering a perfect balance of textures that dance across your palate.

The recipe celebrates creativity, turning simple pasta into a showstopping centerpiece that sparks conversation and curiosity.

Layers of rich flavors meld together, promising a dining experience that transcends traditional casserole expectations.

Melted cheese cascades through pasta channels, creating pockets of pure deliciousness that surprise with each forkful.

Comfort food gets a remarkable upgrade with this stunning presentation that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

What Sets Honeycomb Pasta Bake Apart

• Create a Stunning Pasta Centerpiece: This honeycomb pasta bake transforms ordinary pasta into a jaw-dropping dish that looks like a work of art, making it perfect for impressing dinner guests or creating a show-stopping meal.
• Packed with Cheesy Goodness: The combination of ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella creates a creamy, rich filling that delivers maximum flavor in every single bite, satisfying serious cheese lovers.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Despite looking complicated, this recipe comes together in under an hour, with simple steps that make it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced chefs.
• Customizable Comfort Food: The basic recipe allows for endless variations by switching up herbs, adding different meats or vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to suit personal tastes and dietary preferences.

Shopping List for Honeycomb Pasta Bake

• Rigatoni Pasta: A sturdy tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding cheese filling and maintaining structure in the bake.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Ricotta Cheese: Creamy cheeses that provide rich, melty texture and depth of flavor to the pasta bake.

• Garlic, Shallot: Aromatic ingredients that add savory depth and complexity to the cheese mixture.
• Egg: Binds the cheese filling and helps create a smooth, cohesive texture.
• Oregano, Garlic Powder, Salt, Red Pepper Flakes: Herbs and spices that elevate the overall taste profile with warmth and subtle heat.

• Pasta Sauce: Provides moisture and additional flavor to the pasta bake.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal of the pasta bake from the pan.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, fresh herb for garnishing and adding a pop of color and aroma.

Easy Guide to Making Honeycomb Pasta Bake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 375°F, getting ready for a delicious pasta adventure.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese

• Shred the mozzarella cheese
• Set aside for topping

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

• Bring of salted water to a rolling boil
• Add pasta and cook for 5 minutes
• Drain and rinse with cold water
• Carefully slice each noodle in half to create even lengths

Step 4: Create the Cheese Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella
• Minced garlic
• Minced shallot
• Egg
• Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Red pepper flakes

Mix until everything is well blended.

Step 5: Prepare the Piping

Transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off.

Step 6: Prepare the Baking Pan

• Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray
• Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of the pan

Step 7: Assemble the Pasta

• Vertically stack the cooked pasta in the pan
• Carefully pipe cheese filling into each pasta tube until completely full

Step 8: Add Sauce and Cheese

• Pour pasta sauce over the filled pasta
• Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes.

Step 10: Finish and Serve

• Remove the sides of the springform pan
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves

Enjoy your mouthwatering honeycomb pasta bake!

Tips to Nail Honeycomb Pasta Bake

• Master Pasta Arrangement: Position pasta noodles vertically with precision, ensuring tight, uniform placement for a stunning visual presentation and consistent cooking.
• Cheese Filling Technique: Use a piping bag for even, smooth distribution of cheese mixture inside each pasta tube, preventing air pockets and guaranteeing rich flavor in every bite.
• Sauce Coverage Strategy: Spread sauce generously but carefully to prevent dry edges, creating a perfectly moist and flavorful honeycomb structure.
• Springform Pan Pro Tip: Apply non-stick spray thoroughly and line bottom with sauce to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking after baking.
• Fresh Herb Finishing: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil just before serving to elevate the dish's aroma and add a vibrant, garden-fresh flavor contrast.

How to Keep Honeycomb Pasta Bake for Later

• Refrigeration: Store the honeycomb pasta bake in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled pasta bake securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Honeycomb Pasta Bake Serving Companions

• Match Robust Red Wine with Dish: Pair this cheesy, saucy honeycomb pasta bake with a medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich tomato and cheese flavors, cutting through the creamy texture while enhancing the overall Italian-inspired meal.
• Crisp Salad Balances Heaviness: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette alongside the pasta bake, providing a fresh, peppery contrast to the dense, cheesy main course and adding a zesty, palate-cleansing element.
• Herbal Garlic Bread Completes Meal: Prepare a side of crusty garlic bread brushed with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with fresh parsley, which will soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy texture to complement the soft pasta layers.
• Refreshing Sparkling Water Cleanses Palate: Offer chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon to help cut through the richness of the cheese and provide a light, effervescent drink that refreshes between bites.

Honeycomb Pasta Bake Variants to Experiment With

• Spicy Chorizo Crunch: Replace mozzarella with pepper jack cheese and add crumbled chorizo sausage for a zesty kick. Sprinkle crispy breadcrumbs on top before baking for extra texture.
• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Swap ricotta with crumbled feta cheese and mix in chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Top with za'atar seasoning for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Creamy Mushroom Herbaceous: Incorporate sautéed wild mushrooms into the cheese mixture and use a blend of gruyère and parmesan. Add fresh thyme and rosemary for an earthy, aromatic profile.
• Protein-Packed Chicken Blast: Mix shredded rotisserie chicken into the cheese filling and use a creamy alfredo sauce instead of traditional marinara. Garnish with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper.

Honeycomb Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Honeycomb Pasta Bake whisks Italian comfort into a mesmerizing culinary spectacle. Perfectly nested pasta tubes create a golden, cheesy masterpiece that promises pure deliciousness from first glance to final satisfying bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (450 grams) manicotti pasta
• 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces (225 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Binding Ingredient:

• 1 egg

Garnish:

• Fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning the rack in the center for optimal cooking.
2. Grate of mozzarella cheese, reserving for topping.
3. Boil of salted water in a large pot, then cook pasta for 5 minutes until slightly undercooked.
4. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Carefully slice each noodle in half horizontally to create uniform lengths.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, blend ricotta, parmesan, reserved mozzarella, minced garlic, finely chopped shallot, egg, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes until smooth and well-incorporated.
6. Transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off for easy filling.
7. Lightly coat a 9-inch (23-centimeter) springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom.
8. Arrange pasta noodles vertically in the pan, creating a honeycomb-like pattern, ensuring they are tightly packed.
9. Pipe the prepared cheese mixture into each pasta tube, filling them completely to the top.
10. Evenly pour remaining pasta sauce over the filled pasta, covering all noodles.
11. Sprinkle the reserved of mozzarella cheese on top for a golden, melted finish.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
13. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Carefully release the springform pan sides.
14. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving, adding a pop of color and fresh herb flavor.

Notes

• Prepare all ingredients before starting to ensure a smooth cooking process.
• Create neat vertical pasta stacks by cutting noodles precisely for a stunning presentation.
• Use a piping bag or ziplock bag with cut corner for easy and even cheese filling distribution.
• Make sure to coat the springform pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure clean removal.
• Slightly undercook pasta initially since it will continue baking in the oven, preventing potential mushiness.
• Garnish with fresh basil just before serving to add a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg