Description
This Beef and Pasta Casserole is a hearty, family-favorite comfort food dish made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks, this baked casserole is easy to prepare and full of savory flavor. Ideal for meal prep and freezer-friendly too!
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
12 ounces pasta (penne or elbow)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
4. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
6. Drain excess grease. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
10. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
11. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use short pasta shapes like penne or rotini so they hold up well during baking.
You can add chopped spinach or mushrooms to sneak in extra veggies.
Freezes great! Store portions in airtight containers for quick meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg