Ground Beef and Pasta Bake
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This super cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake is made with tender pasta, savory seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce all tossed together and smothered in a bubbly blanket of gooey mozzarella and sharp Parmesan. It’s an easy, dreamy, and delicious weeknight dinner for the whole family!
This Ground Beef & Pasta Bake is a simple and classic comfort food recipe requiring only the most basic of ingredients and is super easy to prep ahead. The best part? Everything comes together in one pot before being transferred to a baking dish. So easy and satisfying.
This crowd favorite recipe is also budget-friendly, making it the perfect option for feeding a larger group. Or serve it with a side salad and lots of fresh garlic bread for a complete meal the whole family will enjoy! You can also easily customize this recipe to add fresh veggies like sauteed onions and peppers or fresh zucchini.
Why Try This Ground Beef Pasta Bake
- Easy and Budget Friendly – this recipe requires simple, inexpensive ingredients and is pretty easy to prep ahead.
- Crowd Favorite – This delicious classic casserole is a hearty, comforting, and flavorful meal loved by all.
- Easy to Customize – Add sauteed onions and bell peppers or squash and zucchini to sneak in some delicious veggies.
Ingredients for Beef Pasta Bake
This simple and delicious recipe is made with common kitchen staples you might even already have!
- Short pasta – like a penne, rigatoni, or rotini pasta
- Olive oil
- Lean ground beef
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning – or a combo of dried basil and oregano
- Red pepper flakes – optional, if you like a little heat
- Salt and black pepper – to taste
- Marinara or pasta sauce – I use 1 full 24-oz jar for this pasta bake
- Tomato paste – optional, but adds an extra depth of flavor
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – freshly shredded cheese will always melt better
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Buffalo mozzarella – or 6-8 slices of provolone, torn
- Fresh basil or parsley – for garnish
Equipment Needed To Make
- Pasta pot
- Large skillet
- Casserole dish
Substitutions & Alterations
- You can add or substitute ground turkey or pork for the ground beef.
- Add some red pepper flakes, chili powder, or smoked paprika to increase the heat or depth of flavor.
- Saute some chopped onions and peppers or yellow squash and zucchini with the ground beef for a healthy and flavorful addition.
- Provolone or buffalo mozzarella can be used for the topping or even a combination of both!
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How to Make Hamburger Pasta Bake
Step by Step Instructions overview – Full recipe in recipe card below.
Step 1 – Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Set aside
Step 2 – Sauté ground beef with seasonings in a skillet.
Step 3 – Add tomato paste and marinara to the skillet and simmer
Step 4 – Add meat sauce to the pot with cooked pasta.
Step 5 – Fold in the cheese and transfer in casserole dish
Step 6 – Top with remaining cheese.
Step 7 – Bake until golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving
What to Serve with Pasta Bake
- Serve your pasta bake casserole with an Easy Crisp Italian Salad and some Garlic Bread or Texas Roadhouse Copycat Dinner Rolls for a complete meal.
- This delicious minced beef pasta bake also goes great with a side of Sauteed Mushrooms or Sauteed Zucchini and Tomatoes.
Raquel’s Time Saving Tips & Tricks to Get the Best Results
- Mixing everything in the pasta pot keeps things simple and cuts down on dishes.
- Assemble the casserole ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve.
- Double the recipe and you can freeze one for later meals.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure leftover pasta is cooled completely before storing.
Reheat in the microwave or preheated 350° oven until hot and bubbly. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking at 350°F until warmed through.
More Pasta Casserole Recipes
- Sausage and Pasta al Fiorno
- Chicken Egg Noodle Casserole
- Chicken Florentine Pasta
- Ham & Noodle Casserole
Ground Beef and Pasta Bake
Equipment
- large stock pot
- medium skillet
Ingredients
- 2 oz short pasta penne, rigatoni, or rotini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 24 oz jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste optional, for depth of flavor
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 ball buffalo mozzarella torn or 6–8 slices provolone
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. Drain and return it to the same pot off the heat.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, seasoning with onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the tomato paste and marinara sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Add the meat sauce to the pot with the cooked pasta.
- Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the parmesan until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and provolone slices or torn buffalo mozzarella.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for golden cheese edges if desired.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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This was easy to make and not very expensive – thank you!