Description
This cheesy beef pasta bake is the ultimate comfort dinner for your family. Loaded with ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine cooked pasta with the meat sauce in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with remaining cheeses and Parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter option. This dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking, adding 10 minutes to the bake time.
Nutrition
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 32g