Baked Pasta Casserole Menu, GamePlan, and Shopping List!

Elegantly delicious and effortless!

The Baked Pasta Casserole Menu below has been a crowd pleaser in our group of friends for decades. You can easily substitute a high-quality gluten-free pasta such as Jovial. I also recommend using European pastas — they are typically made with non GMO wheat, which is so much better for all of us. Stay tuned this week for a recipe every day, perfect for your fall dinner parties.

Choosing menus that are prepped and prepared in advance so, you’re not scrambling at the last minute is a key to entertaining … effortlessly and enjoyably!

In today’s newsletter, we give you the Menu and Recipes, GamePlan, and Shopping List!

Baked Pasta Casserole


Dear Friends,


“DeeDee, I haven’t had people over in 10 years.”

Those were the first words Marsha spoke when she joined my workshop last spring. She explained how life had gotten busy, her confidence had vanished, and the thought of entertaining felt overwhelming.

“I used to love having people over,” she continued,
“but somewhere along the way, I just stopped.”

Can you relate to Marsha? Maybe you’ve felt that tug to reconnect with friends but held back because hosting felt too complicated, too much work, or too risky?

Here’s what Marsha discovered in just 30 days …

  • Week 1: She organized her kitchen and entertaining spaces (something she’d been putting off for years)
  • Week 2: She planned her first small gathering using our simple menu strategies with EE recipes like the Baked Pasta Casserole
  • Week 3: She actually hosted—and loved every minute of it
  • Week 4: She was already planning her next dinner party

But the most beautiful part? Listen to what she told me after the workshop …

“The workshop has given me confidence to entertain and helped me organize my kitchen and entertaining spaces. But more than that, it gave me back a part of myself I thought I’d lost. I’m enjoying hosting friends in our home again!”

This is what’s possible when you have the right guidance, practical tools, and a supportive community cheering you on.

Watch now!

In my “30 Days to Effortless Entertaining” Fall Workshop, you’ll … 

  • Transform your kitchen and entertaining spaces for maximum ease
  • Access crowd-pleasing menus with shopping lists and game plans
  • Master simple style points and time-saving shortcuts
  • Discover the threads that run through every wonderful gathering

You will also receive a copy of my book, Effortless Entertaining and

Exclusive Fall Bonuses (more on these tomorrow!)

  • Complimentary 2-hour live module on Hosting Overnight Houseguests
  • Complimentary access to my “Entertaining with Wellness” 11-part video series
Choose your session:
  • September 17th
  • October 15th

Marsha’s transformation didn’t happen by accident — it happened because she decided to invest in herself and took action. What could be possible for you?

That transformation is possible, and I’m here to show you how.

Join me! The first fall workshop begins on Wednesday, September 17th!

Register Now!

Baked Pasta Casserole Menu

Print Menu

SERVES 8 – 10

GamePlan

Monday

  • Shop for non-perishables

Wednesday

  • Shop for perishables

Thursday

  • Prepare Irwin’s Super Brownies and Lemon Squares

Friday

  • Prepare bruschetta topping
  • Prepare Baked Pasta Casserole

Saturday

  • Shop for rosemary bread and baguette

Early in the day . . .

  • Slice and butter rosemary bread, wrap in aluminum foil
  • Toast baguette
  • Prep Citrus Salad and prepare dressing

4:00

  • Plate Irwin’s Super Brownies and Lemon Squares

6:00

  • Remove Baked Pasta Casserole from refrigerator
  • Get dressed – enjoy dressing drink!

6:45

  • Plate Tomato Bruschetta
  • Enjoy a quiet moment

7:30

  • Cook Pasta Casserole, 450° for 25–30 min

8:00 – 8:15

  • Warm bread
  • Toss salad

8:15 – 8:30

  • Serve and enjoy!

Shopping List

Produce

  • Tomatoes, 4 med
  • Garlic, 4 cloves
  • Basil, ¼ cup chopped, ~½ oz
  • Onion, 2 whole or prepackaged chopped, 2 cups
  • Shiitake mushrooms, 1 lb
  • Italian parsley, ⅔ cup chopped
  • Mixed salad greens, 8–10 cups
  • Strawberries, 1 ½ cups halved
  • Grapefruit sections, 1 ½ cups*
  • Lemons, 3

*May substitute jarred grapefruit in water

Bakery, Deli

  • Baguette, sliced
  • Proscuitto, ¼ lb thinly sliced
  • Rosemary bread, sliced

Baking, Spices, Nuts

  • Crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp
  • Basil, 1 tsp
  • Oregano, 1 tsp
  • Walnuts, ½ cup chopped
  • German chocolate cake mix, 1 18.25-oz box
  • Evaporated milk, 1 can
  • Semisweet chocolate chips, 6 oz
  • Pecans, 1 cup chopped
  • Powdered sugar, 1 cup
  • Baking powder, 1 tbsp

Packaged

  • Plum tomatoes, 2 28-oz cans
  • Farfalle pasta, 1 lb
  • Raspberry vinegar, ¼ cup
  • Balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp
  • Caramels, 1 14-oz bag

Dairy

  • Milk, 2 cups
  • Fontina, 1 cup shredded, ~4 oz
  • Gorgonzola, 1 cup crumbled, ~4 oz
  • Parmesan, 1 ½ cups shredded, ~4–5 oz
  • Orange juice, ¼ cup
  • Feta, ½ cup crumbled, ~4 oz
  • Eggs, 4

On Hand . . .

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Olive oil, ½ cup
  • Soy sauce, 1 tsp
  • Butter, 4 sticks
  • Flour, ½ cup
  • Dijon mustard, ½ tsp
  • Sugar, 2 cups plus 1 tsp

Sources & Resources

Jovial Pasta
Gluten free and you’d never know it!
available here
Also available in most grocery stores.
Rummo
Italian Pasta
available here
Rao’s Homemade
Italian Pasta
available here

EE’s 30 Days to Effortless Entertaining

Did you know …

In Week 3 of the “30 Days to Effortless Entertaining” workshop, we cover Menus and Recipes to ensure you’re enjoying the party with your guests and not, scrambling in the kitchen.

Fall Workshops Open! Time to Register!

To learn more and register for the workshop, click here.
Just a reminder! The Guide, 2nd Edition is included in the workshop 😍!

“My daughters enjoyed your workshop as much as I did and so thankful they had the opportunity! Lucky are the ones who sign up for future workshops with you!”
CINDY

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