Trader Joe’s 5 Ingredient Garlic Marinara Pasta Bake
This Trader Joe’s 5 Ingredient Garlic Marinara Pasta Bake is one of those easy, comforting dinners that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. It takes a simple jar of marinara and transforms it into a rich, creamy, flavor-packed sauce thanks to the addition of Trader Joe’s garlic spread dip. Add in seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a blanket of melted mozzarella, and you have a hearty baked pasta that is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry family.
If you love easy baked pasta recipes like this, you will definitely want to check out some of my other favorites like Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Pasta with Crunchy Chili Onion, Trader Joe’s Viral Lobster Pasta, and Baked Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta. These are all simple, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and are full of flavor, making them perfect for those nights when you just need something that works without a lot of effort.
This recipe is inspired by the extremely viral 5 ingredient tortellini bake by Meals and Munchies, and it is easy to see why that version took off. This take builds on that idea by adding ground beef to make it even more filling, while still keeping things simple and approachable. The garlic spread melts right into the marinara to create a creamy, slightly garlicky sauce that coats every bite of pasta perfectly. It is one of those recipes that feels a little indulgent but is incredibly easy to pull together.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
• Made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients
• Big, bold flavor with minimal effort
• Creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying
• Perfect for feeding a family or a crowd
• Great for leftovers and reheats beautifully
• Inspired by a viral recipe with a delicious twist
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Garlic parmesan seasoning or your favorite seasoning blend
1 (25 ounce) jar Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato Basil Marinara (or your favorite marinara)
1 (8 ounce) Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip
1 pound pasta of choice
About 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, and your favorite seasoning blend. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Add the marinara sauce to the cooked beef and stir to combine. I also filled the jar about an inch with water to rinse the rest of the sauce out. If you don’t do this make sure you keep some pasta water aside in case you need to thin your sauce some.
Add in the garlic spread dip and cook over medium low heat, stirring until the dip melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Let the sauce simmer on low while you get your pasta cooked.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well to fully coat.
Transfer everything to a baking dish and spread evenly. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, making sure to cover the pasta.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a sturdy pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini so it holds up well in the sauce and doesn’t get mushy.
- Cook your pasta just to al dente since it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
- Make sure to fully melt the garlic spread into the marinara before adding the pasta so the sauce is smooth and evenly combined.
- If you want an extra creamy texture, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or a little extra cheese before baking.
- Add a handful of fresh spinach at the end of cooking or right before baking if you want to add a little color and freshness.
- Don’t skip covering the top generously with mozzarella. That cheesy layer is what makes this baked pasta so irresistible.
FAQs
Absolutely. Ground turkey or Italian sausage both work well in this recipe.
Yes, you can leave out the ground beef and keep it as a simple creamy marinara pasta bake or add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.
Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or rotini work best because they hold the sauce well. The original recipe used tortellini so that is a great option as well.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Yes, you can freeze it before or after baking. Just make sure it is well covered. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
This Trader Joe’s Garlic Marinara Pasta Bake is one of those recipes that proves simple ingredients can create something truly delicious. It is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, yet easy enough to make any night of the week. Once you try it, it is very likely going to become a regular in your meal rotation.
Trader Joe’s 5 Ingredient Garlic Marinara Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic parmesan seasoning or your favorite seasoning blend
- 1 (25 ounce) jar Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato Basil Marinara (or your favorite marinara)
- 1 (8 ounce) Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip
- 1 pound pasta of choice
- About 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, and your favorite seasoning blend. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add the marinara sauce to the cooked beef and stir to combine. I also filled the jar about an inch with water to rinse the rest of the sauce out. If you don’t do this make sure you keep some pasta water aside in case you need to thin your sauce some.
- Add in the garlic spread dip and cook over medium low heat, stirring until the dip melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Let the sauce simmer on low while you get your pasta cooked.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well to fully coat.
- Transfer everything to a baking dish and spread evenly. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, making sure to cover the pasta.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 340Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 168mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 25g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
