Italian Casserole Dinner
Indulge in the hearty flavors of an *Italian Casserole Dinner*, a comforting baked pasta dish that delivers layers of rich, savory goodness. This recipe combines tender penne pasta, a robust blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, and a tangy marinara sauce infused with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. A creamy layer of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses adds luscious texture, while a golden, bubbly cheese topping takes it over the top. Quick to prepare with just 20 minutes of prep time, this family-friendly casserole is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or an impressive potluck dish. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a classic Italian-inspired meal that’s as delicious as it is satisfying. Keywords: Italian casserole dinner, baked pasta recipe, cheesy casserole, easy weeknight dinner, Italian sausage casserole.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams dry penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 500 grams ground beef
- 250 grams ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 700 milliliters marinara sauce
- 400 grams diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 250 grams ricotta cheese
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne 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 onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes (if using). Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese.
Layer the casserole: Spread half of the meat sauce mixture at the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the cooked penne pasta, then dollop and spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly. Repeat the layers with the remaining meat sauce and penne pasta.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
833 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.0 g | 64% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.0 g | 105% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 139 mg | 46% | |
| Sodium | 1357 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.0 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 45.2 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 484 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 4.8 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 613 mg | 13% | |
*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.
