Pour canned tomato bisque and these 2 ingredients over uncooked bowtie pasta into a casserole dish for a comforting dinner your family will request on repeat

This oven-baked 4-ingredient Amish-style tomato bisque pasta is the kind of cozy, no-fuss dinner that fits right into a busy weeknight. It leans on a pantry favorite—canned tomato bisque soup—and turns it into a creamy, comforting casserole by simply pouring it over uncooked bowtie pasta with just a couple of extra ingredients. Dishes like this are common in small-town, Amish-influenced cooking: simple, hearty, and made to feed a hungry family without a lot of fuss. You stir everything together right in the casserole dish, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen while you set the table or help with homework. It’s the kind of meal kids ask for again and again because it tastes like a warm hug in a bowl.

Serve this tomato bisque pasta with a crisp green salad—think romaine or mixed greens with a simple vinaigrette—to balance the creaminess. Garlic bread or buttered toast soldiers are perfect for scooping up the extra sauce. If you like, set out a small bowl of extra shredded cheese and some red pepper flakes so everyone can finish their own plate just the way they like it. A side of steamed green beans or roasted broccoli rounds out the meal nicely, and a simple fruit salad makes a light, sweet finish.

Servings: 6

12 oz uncooked bowtie (farfalle) pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or a little butter so the pasta doesn’t stick.

Pour the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out so it’s in a fairly even layer.

In a large mixing bowl or pitcher, whisk together the condensed tomato bisque soup and the milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This thins the soup into a creamy sauce that will cook the pasta in the oven.

Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the dry bowtie pasta in the casserole dish.

Slowly pour the tomato bisque and milk mixture over the uncooked bowtie pasta and cheese in the casserole dish, making sure to cover all of the pasta so it can soften and cook in the oven.

Use a spoon or spatula to gently stir and nudge the pasta around in the dish, making sure the sauce seeps down to the bottom and everything is coated. Smooth the top so the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, until the pasta is just tender when you poke a piece with a fork.

Carefully remove the foil (watch for steam), then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5–10 minutes so the sauce can thicken slightly and the pasta can finish absorbing the flavors. Scoop into bowls and serve warm.

For picky eaters, stick with mild cheddar or even use a processed American cheese blend for an ultra-creamy, familiar flavor. If your family likes a little extra protein, stir 1–2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken or browned ground beef into the pasta before adding the sauce. You can also sneak in some veggies—frozen peas, corn, or finely chopped spinach can be stirred in with the dry pasta before baking. For a slightly richer casserole, swap half of the milk for heavy cream or evaporated milk. If you prefer a bit of a tang, mix in 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt with the soup and milk. To give it a more “pizza pasta” feel, sprinkle the top with a mix of mozzarella and cheddar and add a pinch of Italian seasoning before the final bake. If you need to stretch the meal, serve it over a scoop of steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk stirred in before warming to loosen the sauce.