Ground Beef Pasta Bake
A hearty and comforting ground beef pasta bake with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and pasta, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups marinara sauce Can be substituted with spicy arrabbiata sauce.
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni) Cook until al dente.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese For topping.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese For topping.
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For cooking.
- to garnish Fresh basil Optional.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Assembly and Baking
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Layer the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh basil if desired.
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Notes
Serve hot with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.