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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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