Italian Escape Casserole
Take your taste buds on a flavorful journey with the Italian Escape Casserole, a hearty and comforting bake that brings the vibrant essence of Italy straight to your table. This crowd-pleasing recipe layers tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and zesty Italian sausage in a rich marinara and diced tomato sauce, enhanced with a fragrant blend of garlic and Italian seasoning. Creamy dollops of ricotta cheese marry beautifully with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan, creating a luscious, cheesy topping that bakes to golden perfection. Ready in under an hour, this easy-to-make casserole is ideal for family dinners or meal prep. Garnish with fresh basil for a touch of brightness, and savor every bite of this irresistible blend of classic Italian flavors. Perfect for cozy nights or entertaining guests, this baked pasta dish will transport you to the Mediterranean with its warm, comforting embrace.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 12 ounces cooked penne pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
Stir in the minced garlic, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium, and add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta and meat mixture across the bottom. Dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over this layer.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan over the ricotta layer.
Add the remaining pasta and meat mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Layer the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4728 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 315.9 g | 405% | |
| Saturated Fat | 130.7 g | 653% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 23.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1015 mg | 338% | |
| Sodium | 10274 mg | 447% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 196.7 g | 72% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.1 g | 75% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.7 g | ||
| Protein | 291.0 g | 582% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 23% | |
| Calcium | 3393 mg | 261% | |
| Iron | 21.9 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 4002 mg | 85% | |
*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.
