Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb Pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
• 1 Tbs Vegetable oil
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 1 can Tomatoes, 28 oz, crushed OR 1 tsp Dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups Cheese, grated (any type)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Cook the pasta on the stove according to the package instructions and drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft, approximately 5 minutes.
3. If using canned tomatoes, add them to the saucepan along with the dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture until heated through, about 5 minutes. If using dried oregano, omit the canned tomatoes, and simply add the oregano, salt, and pepper to the sautéed onions.
4. Combine the cooked pasta, sauce, and 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese in an ovenproof dish. Mix everything well.
5. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top of the pasta mixture in the dish.
6. Bake the pasta dish in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Here are some variations of the pasta dish:

1. Creamy Alfredo Pasta: Instead of the tomato-based sauce, make a creamy Alfredo sauce by melting 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg. Toss the cooked pasta in the Alfredo sauce, sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese, and bake as instructed.
2. Vegetable Primavera Pasta: Add a variety of sautéed vegetables to the tomato sauce. Try bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. You can also add fresh basil and a splash of balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavors.
3. Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta: Make a spicy arrabbiata sauce by adding red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and black olives to the tomato sauce. This will give the dish a delicious kick of heat.
4. Mushroom and Spinach Pasta: Sauté sliced mushrooms and spinach in olive oil until wilted. Mix them into the tomato sauce and pasta, then top with grated cheese before baking.
5. Bacon and Broccoli Pasta: Cook bacon until crisp, then crumble it and add it to the tomato sauce along with steamed broccoli florets. The combination of smoky bacon and tender broccoli adds a delightful twist to the dish.
6. Mediterranean Pasta: Create a Mediterranean-inspired version by adding artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese to the pasta. Toss everything together and bake until the cheese is slightly melted.
7. Pesto Pasta: Instead of the tomato sauce, mix the cooked pasta with your favorite pesto sauce. Add some halved cherry tomatoes and top with grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese before baking.
8. Vegan Pasta: To make a vegan version, use a dairy-free cheese substitute, such as vegan mozzarella or nutritional yeast. You can also use almond milk or coconut milk instead of cow’s milk in the sauce.
9. Greek-inspired Pasta: Mix cooked pasta with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with a lemon-oregano vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
10. Tex-Mex Pasta: Incorporate cooked ground beef or turkey seasoned with taco seasoning into the tomato sauce. Add black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, and jalapenos for a spicy kick. Top with shredded cheddar cheese before baking.
11. Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta: Combine cooked pasta with sautéed chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy pesto sauce made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and cream. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before baking.
12. Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta: Sauté shrimp with garlic and olive oil until cooked. Mix with cooked pasta, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and baby spinach. Toss with a lemon-herb dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley and basil), salt, and pepper.
13. Cajun Chicken Pasta: Season chicken with Cajun seasoning and cook until done. Toss with cooked pasta, sautéed bell peppers, onions, and diced tomatoes. Stir in a creamy Cajun sauce made with heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, and a dash of hot sauce.
14. Carbonara Pasta: Combine cooked pasta with crispy bacon or pancetta, grated Parmesan cheese, and beaten eggs. The heat from the pasta and bacon will cook the eggs to create a creamy sauce. Season with black pepper and garnish with chopped parsley.