What is a pasta bake?

Baked pasta is a dish that typically includes pre-cooked pasta, meat, pasta sauce, and cheese. It’s quite versatile, allowing you to use any type of pasta, meat, or sauce you prefer.

To save even more time, I recommend using fresh pasta from the refrigerated section. When baking pasta in a casserole, it doesn’t need to be boiled, as it cooks through with the moisture of the sauce.

I also save time by using pre-cooked meat. You can pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store or repurpose leftover shredded chicken or turkey from another meal.

Add vegetables that don’t need pre-cooking, such as fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes.

While most people choose to bake pasta dishes in the oven, I prefer cooking it on the smoker for added depth of flavor.

Once you master this technique, feel free to mix and match your ingredients. You can experiment with ravioli or cooked ziti instead of tortellini, and swap in marinara sauce for alfredo or pesto. Previously cooked ingredients such as onions, bell peppers, garlic, mushrooms, or zucchini make great additions as well.

Additionally, you may include other cooked meats like ground beef or ground Italian sausage. The possibilities are indeed endless.

Ingredients

• Shredded Chicken: Use shredded meat from a rotisserie chicken or smoke your own whole chicken and shred it.
• Fresh Tortellini: Available in the refrigerated section, near deli meats. Choose a filling that you enjoy; spinach and cheese is a favorite!
• Fresh Spinach
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Alfredo Sauce: Located near the fresh pasta; look for a 15-ounce container.
• Pesto Sauce: Also near the fresh pasta; select a 7-ounce container.
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese

Substitutions: You can replace shredded chicken with other shredded meats or cooked ground beef.

See the full recipe card below for servings and a complete ingredient list.

How to smoke a pasta bake

Heat your grill or smoker to 275°F with an indirect heat zone.

If using a pellet grill, set it to 275°F. For a Ninja Woodfire Grill, select the smoker setting at 275°F. On a charcoal grill, push the coals to one side. For a gas grill, make sure at least one burner is off for indirect heat. You can also add wood chips in a foil pouch for additional smokiness.

1. STEP ONE: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, fresh tortellini, spinach, tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

2. STEP TWO: Pour the mixture into a large cast iron skillet or baking dish and spread it out evenly.

3. STEP THREE: Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.

4. STEP FOUR: Place the skillet on the grill and cook for 45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the internal temperature of the pasta reaches 160°F.

PRO TIP: If you're pressed for time, you can set your grill to 350°F for a cook time of about 30 minutes. For more pronounced smoky flavor, set your grill to 250°F; this will require about an hour.

How to serve smoked pasta bake

Once the pasta is cooked through and the cheese melted, bring the skillet to the table. Serve generous portions of baked pasta alongside a fresh salad and crusty garlic bread.

Storage

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave when needed.