Layered Cheese and Beef Casserole
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Layered Cheese and Beef Casserole, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for feeding a crowd or savoring as leftovers. Packed with layers of tender penne pasta, a rich tomato-based meat sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, and a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this casserole delivers indulgent, cheesy goodness in every bite. Easy to assemble and baked to golden perfection, it’s the perfect combination of creamy, savory, and satisfying. Ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, this crowd-pleasing casserole is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Serve it with a crisp side salad and crusty garlic bread for a complete meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and no pink remains, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to combine the flavors. Remove from heat.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and chopped parsley.
To assemble the casserole, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of pasta, then spread half of the ricotta mixture on top. Sprinkle with a handful of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers: meat sauce, pasta, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Finish with a layer of the remaining meat sauce and top generously with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
713 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 36.9 g | 47% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.9 g | 89% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 116 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 1128 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.6 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 40.5 g | 81% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 530 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 673 mg | 14% | |
*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.
