Description
This hearty Beef Pasta Bake is a golden-crust casserole layered with tender pasta, savory beef marinara, and melted mozzarella and parmesan. Ideal for weeknights, it satisfies all taste buds with rich Italian flavors and a perfectly al dente texture.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 lean ratio)
12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
2 cups marinara sauce (high-quality jarred or homemade)
1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
1 small onion (finely chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Discard any excess fat.
Sauté the chopped onion in the pan until translucent, then add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but reduce boiling time by 2 minutes to par-cook. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce.
Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a greased baking dish. Evenly spread the mozzarella cheese over the top, then sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use homemade marinara sauce. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For a dairy-free alternative, substitute vegan mozzarella and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick Family Dinners
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg