Ground Beef Pasta Bake
Hearty, cheesy, and baked until bubbly—this family-friendly casserole layers al dente pasta with savory ground beef and marinara, then blankets everything in melty mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or make-ahead meal prep.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne or ziti)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce (alcohol-free)
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente; drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened; stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef; cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes to blend flavors.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and toss to coat.
- Assemble: Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared dish; sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta and top with remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 8–10 minutes more, until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1peopleCalories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 28gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g
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