Description
A cozy, cheese-covered bake that’s loaded with seasoned beef, saucy pasta, and melty mozzarella. This dish brings all the comfort of a lasagna, with half the effort. Perfect for family dinners or storing for weeknight cravings.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
4. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain.
5. Combine pasta and sauce in a large bowl. Toss until evenly coated.
6. Layer half the pasta in a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and parmesan.
7. Add remaining pasta, top with remaining cheese.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more until cheese is golden.
9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For added richness, stir in 1/2 cup ricotta cheese with the pasta before baking.
Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a cheesier melt.
Let the casserole rest 10 minutes after baking to hold its shape when sliced.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: beef casserole, pasta bake, comfort food