Easy Weeknight Casserole
Say goodbye to hectic dinner prep with this Easy Weeknight Casserole, a family-friendly recipe that combines comforting flavors with quick preparation! Featuring tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a robust tomato-based sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, this casserole is layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese for a perfectly melty finish. Ready in just 45 minutes, this one-dish wonder is perfect for busy weeknights and makes enough to serve a crowd—or to enjoy as leftovers. Whether you're looking for a hearty dinner idea or an irresistible baked pasta recipe, this casserole is a surefire win that pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or garlic bread. Your weeknight dinner solution is just a bake away!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces pasta (e.g., penne or rotini)
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Stir in the minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the meat sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer half of the mixture to a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
Add the remaining pasta mixture as the next layer, and top with the remaining mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
Cover the casserole dish with 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.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
447 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.4 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.0 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 77 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 956 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.5 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g | ||
| Protein | 28.7 g | 57% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 382 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 551 mg | 12% | |
*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.
