Description
This Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake is a comforting, hearty dish that combines tender pasta with a savory ground beef and tomato sauce, all topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this baked casserole offers rich flavors enhanced by Italian seasoning and paprika, finished with a fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (rigatoni, shells, or any short pasta)
Beef Sauce
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or any melting cheese)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large casserole or baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add ground beef, cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, then drain excess grease.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Seasoning: Stir tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the beef and tomato sauce mixture until the pasta is fully coated.
- Assemble Bake: Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella cheese and some Parmesan cheese over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Dish: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the pasta bake cool for a few minutes after baking. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh herbaceous note.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
- Use any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or shells – choose your favorite shape.
- Make sure the pasta is al dente to avoid it becoming mushy after baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated well.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for variation.
