Description

This Family-Style Beef Pasta Bake is a cozy, comforting dinner made with tender pasta, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and layers of melted cheese. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or make-ahead meals that bring everyone to the table.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups marinara sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Add chopped onion and cook until soft, then stir in garlic.
Mix in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir cooked pasta into the sauce until well coated.
Spoon half of the pasta into the baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, then add remaining pasta and top with more cheese.
Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest before serving.

Notes

You can assemble this pasta bake up to a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake. Swap ground beef for ground turkey if desired. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: B
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 520
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg