Warm, comforting, and irresistibly cheesy, this Cheesy Noodle Bake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or your next potluck gathering. Packed with tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich marinara sauce infused with garlic, onion, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, this baked pasta dish is layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese for a glorious golden topping. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a hearty blend of flavors, this baked pasta casserole is an easy, family-friendly recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Serve this bubbling, cheesy masterpiece with a crisp side salad and garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and crumble the beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture evenly in the dish.
Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Allow the Cheesy Noodle Bake to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Calories |
3619 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 183.5 g | 235% | |
| Saturated Fat | 79.7 g | 399% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 577 mg | 192% | |
| Sodium | 6280 mg | 273% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 292.0 g | 106% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.5 g | 73% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.9 g | ||
| Protein | 206.0 g | 412% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2632 mg | 202% | |
| Iron | 23.3 mg | 129% | |
| Potassium | 2130 mg | 45% | |
*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.