Description
This Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines pasta, ground beef, savory seasonings, and gooey cheeses, baked to perfection. It’s a hearty and flavorful meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini)
Beef Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream or ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the beef mixture: Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet. Add garlic, seasonings, and marinara sauce. Simmer.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix cooked pasta and sour cream (or ricotta) with the beef mixture.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with cheeses, and bake until bubbly.
- Serve: Let rest, then garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Make it ahead by assembling the casserole and refrigerating for up to 24 hours.
- Add cooked veggies like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
