Some recipes make you wonder why you ever bothered making dinner complicated.

This oven-baked zesty Italian macaroni is one of those recipes! You start with dry elbow macaroni, add a handful of simple ingredients, pour over tangy Italian dressing, cover the pan, and let the oven take over.

No pot of boiling water. No standing over the stove. No complicated sauce to prepare.

And somehow, when that bubbly, cheesy pan comes out of the oven, it tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did. That’s exactly the kind of weeknight recipe I want in my kitchen!

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What Is Zesty Italian Macaroni?

Zesty Italian macaroni is an easy baked pasta dish made with uncooked elbow macaroni, Italian dressing, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Instead of cooking the pasta separately, everything goes directly into a baking dish. The covered casserole traps steam while it bakes, allowing the dry macaroni to soften.

The Italian dressing adds a bright, tangy flavor that makes this casserole a little different from traditional cheesy baked macaroni.

It’s cozy, cheesy, and pleasantly zippy!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Pasta Casserole

There are plenty of reasons to keep this one in your weeknight rotation

• Minimal ingredients
• No boiling pasta separately
• Easy one-pan preparation
• Big cheesy flavor
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Easy to customize
• Great for potlucks and casual gatherings
• Makes excellent leftovers

I especially love that you can assemble everything in one baking dish. Fewer dishes afterward? Yes, please!

What Does Zesty Italian Macaroni Taste Like?

The flavor is savory, cheesy, and tangy.

The mozzarella melts into stretchy pockets throughout the pasta, while Parmesan adds a deeper salty, nutty note. The Italian dressing brings herbs, acidity, and a little zing that keeps the casserole from tasting too heavy.

If you enjoy Italian-inspired flavors and cheesy pasta, this is a fun change from the usual baked macaroni and cheese.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The Pasta

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni, about 8 ounces

The Flavor

• 1 1/2 cups bottled zesty Italian dressing
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup water, optional if the pasta needs additional moisture

You’ll also want a little nonstick cooking spray or oil for preparing the baking dish.

Tools Needed

This recipe is wonderfully low-maintenance.

You’ll need:

• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Measuring cups
• Aluminum foil
• Spoon or spatula
• Oven mitts
• Serving spoon

That’s about it!

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

Use Another Pasta Shape

Elbow macaroni is ideal because it cooks relatively quickly and catches the dressing and cheese in all those little curves.

You could experiment with another small pasta shape, but cooking times and liquid requirements may vary.

Add Cooked Chicken

Want to make this more filling?

Stir in about 1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked diced chicken before baking.

Make sure any meat added to the casserole is already fully cooked.

Add Ham

Diced cooked ham is another tasty option, especially if you’re serving this as a hearty lunch or dinner.

Sneak In Some Vegetables

Frozen peas, corn, or mixed vegetables can be added directly to the baking dish.

Use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups, and there’s no need to thaw them first.

Make It Creamier

For a softer, creamier casserole, replace about 1/2 cup of the Italian dressing with half-and-half or heavy cream.

The finished dish will be richer and less tangy.

Turn Up the Heat

For a spicy version, use spicy Italian dressing and add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

How to Make Oven-Baked Zesty Italian Macaroni