Beef Mozzarella Bake
Dive into comfort food heaven with this Beef Mozzarella Bake, a hearty and incredibly satisfying dish that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep. This recipe combines savory ground beef, tender penne pasta, and a rich, garlicky marinara sauce, all layered under gooey melted mozzarella and a sprinkle of nutty parmesan. Seasoned with Italian herbs and optional red chili flakes for a hint of spice, this bake strikes the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Ready in just 45 minutes, including prep time, it’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing casserole that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil for a burst of color and freshness before serving!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 3 cups penne pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red chili flakes, if using.
Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef and sauce mixture. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired.
Serve the Beef Mozzarella Bake warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
781 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.8 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.6 g | 68% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 78 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 861 mg | 37% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 89.8 g | 33% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.3 g | ||
| Protein | 39.8 g | 80% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 391 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 472 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
