Description
A comforting American casserole combining tender ground beef, rich marinara, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or family meals, with a crispy golden cheese top and hearty texture.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (85/15)
3 cups short pasta (rigatoni or penne)
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 diced onion
4 minced garlic cloves
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup baby spinach (optional)
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
0.25 cup cream cheese or ricotta (optional)
Fresh basil, red pepper flakes, or extra Parmesan for finishing
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Brown ground beef in a large skillet, drain fat
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until softened
Add optional veggies (spinach/mushrooms) and cook briefly
Stir in marinara, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
Bring sauce to a simmer, ~5 minutes
Boil pasta until al dente, drain
Add cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and stir to coat
Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish
Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan
Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing
Garnish with basil or red pepper flakes if desired
Notes
Use ground turkey as a substitute for beef
Swap gluten-free pasta for dietary restrictions
Add cheese toppings directly if cravings strike
Can be stored in airtight containers for 3-4 days
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: beef
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg