Dive into comfort food heaven with this Cheese Topped Beef Bake, a hearty, family-friendly dinner that combines tender pasta shells, a richly seasoned ground beef and tomato sauce, and a layer of ooey-gooey melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole-style dish comes together easily with pantry staples like canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and dried herbs, while shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese create an irresistible golden crust. Ready in just an hour, this oven-baked masterpiece offers six generous servings, making it ideal for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers. Serve it with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal the whole family will love!
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to combine the flavors.
In a large baking dish, layer the cooked pasta shells evenly.
Pour the beef and tomato mixture over the pasta, spreading it out evenly to cover the pasta completely.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Cheese Topped Beef Bake!
Calories |
2697 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 177.5 g | 228% | |
| Saturated Fat | 75.3 g | 376% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 546 mg | 182% | |
| Sodium | 5427 mg | 236% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 112.0 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.2 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.5 g | ||
| Protein | 172.5 g | 345% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2180 mg | 168% | |
| Iron | 15.1 mg | 84% | |
| Potassium | 2482 mg | 53% | |
*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.