Potluck Casserole
Packed with layers of hearty flavor and ooey-gooey melted cheese, this Potluck Casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food. Perfect for gatherings or family dinners, this dish features tender penne pasta tossed in a savory tomato-based sauce loaded with seasoned ground beef, vibrant bell peppers, and aromatic garlic and onion. Topped with a generous blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, it’s baked to golden perfection for an irresistibly bubbly finish. With just 20 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, this casserole is as convenient as it is delicious. Serve it hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and watch it disappear faster than you can say "seconds!" Keywords: potluck casserole, easy comfort food, cheesy pasta bake, crowd-pleasing casserole recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 diced bell peppers (any color)
- 24 ounces tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounces (1 can) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional) fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook gently for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and vegetable sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3962 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 198.2 g | 254% | |
| Saturated Fat | 88.6 g | 443% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 583 mg | 194% | |
| Sodium | 6261 mg | 272% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 331.2 g | 120% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 35.2 g | 126% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.4 g | ||
| Protein | 217.6 g | 435% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2746 mg | 211% | |
| Iron | 25.4 mg | 141% | |
| Potassium | 3506 mg | 75% | |
*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.
