Description
Warm, cheesy, and loaded with rich tomato flavor, this Beef and Pasta Casserole is your go-to dinner for busy weeknights or hearty family meals. It’s everything you want in comfort food: satisfying, flavorful, and easy to make. This dish features pasta cooked just right, savory ground beef, and a blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan baked to bubbly perfection. Whether you’re after quick dinner ideas, cozy food recipes, or an easy meal prep winner, this is the kind of dish that hits the spot every time. Great for feeding a crowd, freezing ahead, or reinventing leftovers into something delicious.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups marinara sauce
12 ounces penne pasta
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent.
4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then stir in the ground beef.
5. Cook until beef is browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
6. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5–10 minutes.
7. Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce in the skillet or a large bowl.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
9. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
10. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Use al dente pasta so it doesn’t overcook in the oven.
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after baking—it helps it set for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: casserole, beef pasta, easy dinner, family meal