Cheesy Layered Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole
Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Layered Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole, a hearty dish that’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or meal-prepping for cozy weeknights. Featuring tender layers of rigatoni or penne, rich meaty tomato sauce, and three irresistible cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this baked casserole is a true crowd-pleaser. The combination of Italian seasoning, garlic, and crushed tomatoes creates a flavorful sauce, while the bubbling, golden cheese topping adds the perfect finishing touch. Quick to prepare and baked to perfection in under an hour, this family-friendly dinner is both satisfying and incredibly easy to make. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh parsley, for a dish that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 12 ounces Dried rigatoni or penne pasta
- 1.5 cups Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes; the pasta should be slightly undercooked. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked pasta over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
Repeat the layers: add another layer of meat sauce, pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, ensuring the top layer is covered with plenty of cheese.
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy this cheesy, comforting layered casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
721 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.1 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.5 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 116 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 814 mg | 35% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57.4 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.1 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.0 g | ||
| Protein | 41.1 g | 82% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 525 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 740 mg | 16% | |
*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.
