Easy Italian Casserole
Uncover the hearty flavors of Italy with this Easy Italian Casserole, a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This comforting casserole combines tender rotini pasta with a rich marinara and ground beef sauce, enhanced by aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Layers of gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan cheese create a crave-worthy, golden-bubbly topping that will have everyone reaching for seconds. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients, this oven-baked delight is as easy to make as it is delicious. Serve it with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal! Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or potlucks, this recipe checks all the boxes for flavor and convenience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the minced garlic, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by half of the marinara sauce mixture, and then half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3685 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 173.2 g | 222% | |
| Saturated Fat | 72.1 g | 360% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 522 mg | 174% | |
| Sodium | 6203 mg | 270% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 324.0 g | 118% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.8 g | 103% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.7 g | ||
| Protein | 203.7 g | 407% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2478 mg | 191% | |
| Iron | 23.9 mg | 133% | |
| Potassium | 3043 mg | 65% | |
*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.
