There is something mighty comforting about a supper that comes together right in one baking dish, especially on a busy day when nobody wants a sink full of pots. This 5-Ingredient Oven Ditalini is the sort of practical, thrifty meal Midwestern home cooks have long relied on: pantry pasta, a few simple staples, and the oven doing most of the work. Using the ditalini straight from the box means less fuss, and the finished casserole bakes up tender, saucy, and full of cozy flavor that feels like it belongs at a family table.
This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it is especially nice with a crisp green salad, buttery green beans, or simple roasted broccoli to balance the richness. A slice of garlic bread or warm buttered toast is welcome for scooping up the sauce, and if you like, a little bowl of fruit or applesauce on the side gives the meal that old-fashioned supper-table feeling.
5-Ingredient Oven Ditalini
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound raw dry ditalini pasta
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish.
2. Add the dry ditalini, ground beef, pasta sauce, and water to the casserole dish. Stir well, breaking the beef into small pieces so it is evenly distributed through the pasta and sauce.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
4. Carefully remove the foil and stir the casserole well so the pasta cooks evenly and the beef breaks up fully into the sauce.
5. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
6. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle a bit.
Variations & Tips
Make It Heartier: If your family likes a meatier casserole, use a pound and a half of ground beef and add an extra half cup of water so the pasta still has enough liquid to soften properly.
Cheese Swap: Mozzarella gives that classic mild, stretchy topping, but an Italian blend or a mix of mozzarella and cheddar will give the dish a little more sharpness and color on top.
Sauce Matters: Since there are only a handful of ingredients here, choose a pasta sauce you already know your family enjoys. A garlic-forward sauce, a basil tomato sauce, or a slightly chunky marinara all work beautifully.
Watch the Liquid: Different brands of pasta can vary a little in baking time. If the casserole looks dry before the pasta is tender, stir in a splash of hot water, cover again, and bake a bit longer.
Let It Rest: That short resting time at the end is worth it. It helps the sauce thicken up and makes serving neater, which is especially handy when hungry folks are already lined up at the stove.
