Description
This Simple Baked Beef and Pasta Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Featuring ground beef, pasta, and a flavorful marinara sauce, it’s topped with a cheesy blend of mozzarella and Parmesan, baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a family-friendly recipe that can be customized with vegetables and suitable for various dietary needs with simple substitutions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups cooked pasta (penne or rotini preferred)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Other
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release flavors.
- Cook beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Season and simmer: Season the beef with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Mix pasta and cream: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sour cream and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, blending them into a creamy base.
- Combine beef and pasta: Add the beef and marinara sauce mixture to the pasta bowl and stir everything together until evenly combined.
- Prepare for baking: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, let it cool slightly, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like chopped spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Use whole wheat pasta for a boost of dietary fiber.
- Substitute with gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten intolerance.
