Easy Pasta Beef Bake
Craving comfort food that’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious? This Easy Pasta Beef Bake is your answer! Perfectly cooked penne pasta is tossed with a rich and hearty ground beef marinara sauce, layered with melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this family-friendly dinner comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Infused with fragrant garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of fresh parsley for garnish, this dish offers all the classic flavors of Italian-American cuisine in one satisfying bake. Serve it warm with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for an unforgettable meal that’s guaranteed to please.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the skillet with the cooked beef. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with the beef and marinara mixture. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
Pour half of the pasta and beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the layer.
Add the remaining pasta and beef mixture on top, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly across the surface.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
496 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.2 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.6 g | 63% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 84 mg | 28% | |
| Sodium | 886 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.8 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 29.2 g | 58% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 383 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 219 mg | 5% | |
*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.
