Description
This family favorite cheesy pasta bake combines ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that reheats well and can be customized with different meats or vegetables to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Goods
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as rotini or penne
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stirring thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and the cheese to firm up slightly.
Notes
- This dish reheats well and makes excellent leftovers.
- You can substitute ground turkey or sausage for the beef for a different flavor profile.
- Add vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to increase nutrition and add texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
