Hearty Pasta Casserole
Satisfy your cravings with this Hearty Pasta Casserole, a comfort food classic that combines tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich, tomato-based sauce spiced with Italian seasoning and a touch of garlic. Layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty parmesan cheese, this baked casserole emerges from the oven with a bubbly, golden crust that's impossible to resist. Perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping, this easy pasta bake comes together in just under an hour, including a quick 15-minute prep. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner or looking for a dish that reheats beautifully, this cheesy, flavorful casserole promises to be a favorite. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for the ultimate Italian-inspired feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (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 and cook the penne pasta until just al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce in the skillet or a large mixing bowl, making sure the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated parmesan cheese.
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 slightly golden brown.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
505 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.7 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.3 g | 67% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 77 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 770 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.4 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.2 g | ||
| Protein | 30.4 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 392 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 689 mg | 15% | |
*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.
