Cozy & Cheesy Comfort: Hearty Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe

Pasta lovers unite over this irresistible cheesy pasta bake that promises comfort in every single bite.

Melted cheese cascades through tender noodles, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Loaded with rich, golden cheese and robust seasonings, this dish brings warmth to any dinner table.

Layers of pasta mingle with creamy sauce and crisp golden edges that promise a delightful crunch.

Each forkful promises a perfect balance of textures and tastes that will make your taste buds sing with delight.

This simple yet elegant recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal everyone will adore.

Dive into this mouthwatering creation and savor every delectable moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything You Need for Beefy Cheesy Pasta Bake

• Penne Pasta: Hearty tubes that catch sauce beautifully and provide perfect texture for baking.
• Rigatoni: Sturdy pasta with ridges that help hold onto rich, meaty sauce.

• Ground Beef: Lean cuts deliver robust flavor and protein punch, choose 80/20 blend for ideal moisture.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that deepens overall savory profile, fresh cloves provide most intense flavor.
• Onion: Foundational vegetable that adds sweet undertones and incredible depth to meat mixture.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese that creates golden, crispy top layer with irresistible tangy notes.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Stretchy cheese that provides gooey, stringy texture and mild, creamy backdrop.
• Ricotta Cheese: Soft cheese that adds luxurious, silky consistency to entire dish.
• Heavy Cream: Binds ingredients together, creates ultra-smooth sauce with rich, decadent mouthfeel.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all flavor profiles, crucial for bringing out each ingredient's potential.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides most vibrant taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that introduces classic Mediterranean warmth and aromatic complexity.

Equipment List for a Beefy Cheesy Pasta Night

• Large pot: Essential for boiling water and cooking pasta perfectly.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta efficiently after cooking.
• Baking dish: Medium-sized ceramic or glass dish for assembling and baking the pasta.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients and transfer pasta smoothly.
• Sharp knife: For chopping any additional ingredients like herbs or vegetables.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

How to Bake Beefy Cheesy Pasta Without Fuss

• Boil Water Like a Pro

Fill a large pot with water and get it bubbling with big, rolling waves. Add a generous pinch of salt to make the pasta sing with flavor.

• Cook Pasta to Perfection

Toss your pasta into the dancing water and let it swim until it’s just shy of fully cooked – we want it with a little bite, known as al dente. This ensures your final dish won’t turn mushy.

• Prepare Meat Mixture

Brown ground beef in a sizzling skillet, breaking it into tiny crumbles. Sprinkle in herbs and spices that make your kitchen smell amazing. Pour in a rich tomato sauce and let everything simmer and mingle.

• Layer Your Deliciousness

Grab a baking dish and create delectable layers. Start with a sauce base, then add your partially cooked pasta. Generously scatter handfuls of cheese between layers, making sure every bite will be a cheesy adventure.

• Bake Until Golden

Slide your creation into a preheated oven and let the magic happen. Watch as the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese melts into gooey, irresistible rivers.

• Rest and Serve

Pull your masterpiece out and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier. Cut into hearty portions and enjoy the ultimate comfort food that’ll make everyone at the table cheer.

Tips for Rich, Gooey Cheesy Beef Pasta Bakes

• Pasta Perfection Pro Tips: Make This Dish Shine
• Texture Trick: Slightly undercook pasta during boiling since it'll continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy noodles.
• Cheese Lover's Hack: Mix different cheeses like sharp cheddar and mozzarella for a more complex, rich flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the pasta bake earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenience.
• Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different dietary needs and flavor variations.
• Veggie Boost: Sneak in extra nutrients by adding diced bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to the meat sauce for a more balanced meal.

Serving Up Beefy Cheesy Pasta for the Whole Table

• Family Movie Night Feast: Serve this hearty pasta bake during a cozy family movie evening, paired with crisp garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal that everyone will love.
• Potluck Party Favorite: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to your next gathering, transferring it to a portable casserole dish that keeps the meal warm and delicious during transport.
• Weeknight Comfort Combo: Enhance the meal with a simple side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts to add extra nutrition and color to this cheesy, beefy pasta bake.
• Leftover Magic: Store any remaining portions in airtight containers for easy lunch prep or quick reheating, making this recipe perfect for meal planning and busy weekdays.

Best Storage Methods for Pasta Bakes

• Refrigerator Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and texture retention.
• Freezer Friendly: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in freezer-safe wrap, storing for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheat Method: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or restore crispness by baking in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes with a light foil cover.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare the entire casserole ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours before baking, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

Hearty Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty beefy cheesy pasta bake delivers comfort in every bite, combining rich ground beef with melted cheese and tender pasta. Satisfying flavors promise a delightful meal that brings warmth and happiness to hungry diners.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 12 oz (340g) penne, rigatoni, or ziti pasta
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 egg
• Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil, then cook pasta until al dente, with a slight firmness. Drain thoroughly in a colander.
2. Meat Infusion: In a hot skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, completely breaking down the meat and eliminating any pink undertones. Enhance with dried herbs and seasonings, creating a richly flavored base.
3. Sauce Integration: Introduce marinara sauce to the seasoned beef, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop deep, complex flavors. Fold the meat sauce into the drained pasta, ensuring complete and even coating.
4. Baking Assembly: Transfer the pasta and meat mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Lavishly cover the surface with shredded cheese, creating a potential for a crisp, golden crust.
5. Final Transformation: Position the dish in a preheated oven and bake until the cheese melts completely, becoming a bubbling, golden-brown topping. Allow the baked pasta to rest briefly before serving, letting the flavors meld and the dish set.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just shy of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
• Meat Moisture Management: Drain excess fat from ground beef to avoid a greasy pasta bake and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.
• Cheese Coverage Strategy: Layer cheese evenly and choose a blend like mozzarella and cheddar for maximum melting and flavor complexity.
• Resting Ritual: Allow the dish to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 100mg