Go Back
–+ servings
Easy Ground Beef and Pasta Bake
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Ground Beef and Pasta Bake

his easy Ground Beef and Pasta Bake is a warm, comforting weeknight dinner that comes together with simple pantry ingredients. It’s the perfect make-ahead casserole for busy nights when you want something hearty without the fuss
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Easy Dinner Ideas, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 285kcal
Author: Raquel Pineira

Equipment

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 9x13-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

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This is a great dish to make ahead.

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 396mg | Potassium: 363mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 2mg