Description
This Simple Baked Beef and Pasta Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that combines flavorful ground beef with pasta, marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
Other Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the beef mixture: In a skillet, sauté onion in olive oil, add garlic, then brown the ground beef. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble the casserole: Combine the cooked pasta with the beef mixture. Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheeses, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes.
- Rest and garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can add cooked vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrition.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
