Description
This Simple Baked Beef and Pasta Casserole is a hearty and comforting American main course featuring tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich blend of cheeses baked to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy-to-make recipe perfect for weeknight dinners and can be customized with vegetables for added nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 12 oz uncooked pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Meats & Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauces & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
Dairy
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Veggies: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, cooking for another minute to release the flavors.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta or cottage cheese. Stir thoroughly until everything is well mixed.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the pasta mixture into it. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow the casserole to heat through and the cheeses to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni depending on what you have available.
- Consider adding vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to boost nutrition and flavor.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save time on busy days.
