Gluten Free Cake Pan Marinara & Alfredo Pasta Bake

Have you ever just stood in the kitchen opened the fridge and wonder, what am I going to make for dinner tonight? We’ve all been there! This cake pan pasta bake with both a homemade marinara sauce and alfredo sauce is perfect for dinner. This combination of sauces is so flavorful! I am always debating between whether to make a marinara sauce or an alfredo sauce, but this is the best of both worlds. It is quick to throw together and will be loved by the whole family. Cheesy, yummy, goodness!

Planning ahead?

These 4 components, cheese, pasta, marinara sauce, and alfredo sauce all tossed into one cake pan make this pasta bake so simple. Crunched for time? Use premade sauces, instead of making homemade ones. I personally prefer homemade when time allows, because it gives it that extra flavor. I can control the flavors I put in each sauce and make it just how I like it. Otherwise, premade sauces you may already have on hand. If not, in the future these ingredients are perfect to add to your pantry and fridge for a quick dinner. Think of those nights when you don’t know what to make and are staring at the fridge or pantry like me.

Ingredients:

• Gluten Free Pasta (Spaghetti)

• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

• Heavy Cream

• Cream Cheese

• Butter

• Parmesan Cheese

• Garlic Fresh or Powder (I prefer fresh, but do not always have it on hand)

• Tomato Sauce

• Basil

• Italian Seasoning

• Olive Oil

• Chopped Onion (Fresh or as Seasoning)

• Red Pepper Flakes for Topping (Optional)

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Using two medium sauce pans make your sauces. Sauce instructions are below.
3. Follow the directions on the pasta and cook and drain.
4. Grease a 13×9 cake pan with olive oil. Cover the bottom of the pan with marinara sauce. Using about 1/3 of the sauce. Then put alfredo sauce in the middle of the marinara sauce. Use again 1/3 of the sauce. Then pour the hot pasta over the sauce. Top the pasta with the remaining marinara and alfredo sauce. If you have a lot of sauce left and you do not feel like you need it all, you can save some for topping when it comes out of the oven. We also love to have extra sauce for dipping our bread. ** If you want to add a layer of meat or veggies I suggest putting it on top of the pasta and then topping it with the remaining sauce.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top of the pasta bake. Using 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese.
6. Place the cake pan in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 mins or until the cheese is melted and bubbly!
7. Remove from the oven and serve while hot!

Alfredo Sauce Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan melt butter on low. Then add garlic powder or cloves and sautee for 1 min. Be sure to watch so the butter doesn’t burn.
2. Add cream cheese and stir using a whisk until it melts. It will look clumpy.
3. Slowly pour heavy cream into the saucepan and turn the burner to medium heat. Let simmer for 10 mins stirring with a whisk every couple mins so it does not burn the cream. You will notice cream on the sides of the pan will start to make small bubbles.
4. Once the mixture is hot turn the burner to low and add in the parmesan cheese. Stir using a whisk consistently until melted. Leave on low heat stirring periodically until ready to use.

Mariana Sauce Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan add 1 tbsp of olive oil and garlic powder or cloves. Sautee for 1 min.
2. Slowly pour the tomato sauce into the saucepan and then add the seasonings. Simmer on low to medium until hot.
3. Optional: Sautee meat or vegetables in olive oil until cooked. Then add the tomato sauce and seasonings.

Spice it up!

There are many ways that you can change this pasta bake up with whatever else you have on hand. Are you a meat lover? Throw in some ground beef or Italian sausage in your marinara sauce. If you want to add a serving of veggies to your dinner throw in some colorful chopped peppers to the sauce. You can also add them to the layers if you prefer. I always cook them a little bit in a frying pan, so they’re not so crunchy in the pasta bake. The time in the oven will not bake them enough. Looking to add some heat? Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes are a great addition to the marinara sauce.

Have a love for cheese? Try different kinds of cheeses on top to change the flavor of the pasta bake. If you do not have mozzarella at home you can always use what you have. Fresh mozzarella cheese always adds an extra gooey and cheesy topping. Parmesan, provolone, or an Italian blend are great options and add an extra bold flavor on top.

Please come back and share your results and tips!