Hearty comfort food that’s EASY and IRRESISTIBLE!! Cheesy pasta and ground beef coated in marinara sauce and topped with more CHEESE!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: baked penne pasta, cheesy pasta bake, easy pasta bake, ground beef and pasta recipes, ground beef pasta, ground beef pasta casserole, pasta casserole
Servings: 10
Calories: 345kcal
Author: Averie Sunshine
Ingredients
16ouncespenne pastacooked according to package directions and drained
2tablespoonsolive oiloptional
1poundlean ground beefI used 93% lean
1medium sweet Vidalia oniondiced small
1medium/large red bell pepperdiced small
3 to 5clovesgarlicfinely minced or pressed
1teaspoonground oregano
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
one 26-ounce jar marinara or pasta sauce
3cupsshredded mozzarella cheesedivided
fresh basil or parsleyoptional for garnishing
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
While the pasta is cooking, to a large Dutch oven, optionally add the olive oil (my beef was very lean and the oil was necessary), beef, onion, red pepper, and cook over medium-high heat until beef is cooked through and vegetables have softened; stir frequently and crumble the beef while it cooks; do not drain.
Add the garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute, or until garlic is fragrant.
Add the cooked pasta to the beef mixture, add the marinara, and stir to combine and coat evenly.
Add 1 1/2 cups cheese and stir to combine until the cheese has melted.
Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over the top.
Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted on top.
Optionally garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.