This Ground Beef Pasta Bake is a delicious and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese, it's a classic combination of flavors that never fails to satisfy.
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Favorite things about this recipe
- One of the best things about this recipe if you ask me is that you only need a few simple ingredients so you don't have to worry about a long shopping list.
- Plus, this dish is great to prep ahead, so it's perfect for a busy weekend when you need something to put in the oven when you get home.
- There is no better combination than melty cheese and rich tomato sauce. Which means this casserole is full of flavor.
This ground beef pasta recipe is a classic comfort food recipe that is always a crowd favorite. It has so much flavor that your family will rave about it.
Ingredients you'll need
Ingredient Notes / Variations
- Dry pasta - You can use any pasta sauce that you have on hand.
- Olive oil - If you don't have olive oil, canola oil or vegetable oil can also be used.
- Onion- When I'm cooking with diced onion, I like to use a yellow onion or a sweet onion. A white onion would also work.
- Fresh garlic cloves - Fresh garlic will give this recipe the best flavor. However, you can also use garlic powder or jarred minced garlic in a pinch.
- Lean ground beef - I like to use 80/20 beef, however, you can also use ground turkey to make this simple recipe.
- Oregano - I used dried oregano for this recipe. It adds a savory flavor that just can't topped.
- Red chili flakes - These will add a nice spice to your dish. However, if your family is not a fan of spicy foods you can leave these out.
- Dry basil - This herb adds a subtle sweetness to the dish.
- Salt and black pepper - These basic seasonings may seem simple, but they add a great flavor to your recipe.
- Marinara sauce - My family loves the sweetness of marinara sauce. But, you can also use your favorite spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce in this pasta recipe.
- Shredded cheese - Nothing goes better with pasta than shredded mozzarella cheese. I've found that I get the best results when I shred the cheese myself.
Ground Beef Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pasta
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes
- ½ teaspoon dry basil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 jar marinara sauce 25 ounce
- 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
- Drain reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Preheat oven to 400F
- In a large skillet over medium high heat pour oil and saute onions until translucent.
- Add garlic and continue to cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook breaking it apart until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Pour the beef mixture into a 13x9 baking dish, pour marinara sauce over.
- Pour pasta water in the marinara jar, secure lid and shake then pour the content over the beef.
- Season mixture with oregano, basil, black pepper and salt.
- Mix in cooked pasta and level, top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts.
Nutrition
Step by step: instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
- Drain reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Preheat oven to 400F
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat pour oil and saute onions until translucent.
- Add garlic and continue to cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook breaking it apart until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Pour the beef mixture into a 13x9 baking dish, and pour marinara sauce over.
- Pour pasta water into the marinara jar, secure the lid, and shake then pour the content over the beef.
- Season the mixture with oregano, basil, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix in cooked pasta and level, top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts.
Variations to make it your own
- Want to add some more vegetables to your meal? If so, add a diced bell pepper or sliced mushrooms to the ground beef in the last few minutes of cooking.
- You can also add some chopped tomatoes, and torn fresh basil to your pasta sauce to stretch it a little further.
- Fresh parsley, and grated parmesan cheese both make wonderful garnishes for this ground beef casserole recipe.
Amira's tips
- After you cook the ground beef be sure that you drain off the excess grease so that you don't have a greasy casserole.
- If you forgot to save some pasta water, you can also use beef broth, chicken broth, or milk to help thin the sauce out.
- I always add a little salt to my pasta water so that the pasta soaks up some of the delicious flavor.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze - You can also freeze this casserole. Just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil before storing it in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat - In my opinion, the best way to reheat pasta is to place it in the oven with a small amount of broth or water added. Reheat it at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. You can also microwave single servings for 1-2 minutes or until warm all the way through.
Make Ahead
One of the best things about this simple casserole is that it's great to assemble ahead. Follow the steps that are listed, however skip the baking steps. Instead cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and then store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You may need to add an additional five minutes to your baking time since the casserole will be cold when you bake it.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
When it comes to an easy weeknight dinner featuring pasta, you can never go wrong with this Air Fryer Garlic Bread, and something green like these Mediterranean Green Beans as the side dishes for your meal. This Classic Tiramisu Recipe without Alcohol is one of the favorite desserts to serve with this meal.
FAQs
Yes, you should cook the pasta to al dente before you bake this casserole. Otherwise you will have crunchy pasta.
Yes, I defeintly recommend that you drain the excess grease before you add the remaining ingredients.
Related Recipes
Does your family love pasta bakes? If so, here are a few more delicious pasta recipes that you are going to want to try. Easy Baked Ziti Wtih Ground Beef, Mediterranean Baked Bachamel Pasta, and Easy Creamy Pasta Bake are all simple recipes that make a great dinner for the whole family.
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