Italian Casserole for a Crowd
Feed a hungry crowd with this hearty and flavorful Italian Casserole, a comforting dish brimming with classic Italian flavors and gooey layers of cheese. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is enveloped in a rich, savory meat sauce featuring ground beef, garlic, and Italian herbs, then layered with creamy ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella for that irresistibly cheesy finish. Baked until golden and bubbly, this casserole is easy to assemble, making it a time-saving choice for hosting dinner parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. Ready in just over an hour, this dish serves up to 12, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Garnished with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch, this Italian-inspired comfort food promises a satisfying meal packed with bold flavors in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne pasta
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to 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 minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until fully browned and no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the marinara sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the grated parmesan cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside.
To assemble the casserole, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Add half of the cooked pasta in an even layer.
Top the pasta with half of the remaining meat sauce and dollop half of the ricotta mixture over it.
Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and remaining grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil (spray the foil with nonstick spray first to prevent the cheese from sticking).
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6663 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 375.5 g | 481% | |
| Saturated Fat | 171.8 g | 859% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1247 mg | 416% | |
| Sodium | 12025 mg | 523% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 438.1 g | 159% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.8 g | 114% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.5 g | ||
| Protein | 412.1 g | 824% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 5986 mg | 460% | |
| Iron | 41.3 mg | 229% | |
| Potassium | 4862 mg | 103% | |
*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.
