Beef Mozzarella Bake

Dive into comfort food heaven with this Beef Mozzarella Bake, a hearty and incredibly satisfying dish that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep. This recipe combines savory ground beef, tender penne pasta, and a rich, garlicky marinara sauce, all layered under gooey melted mozzarella and a sprinkle of nutty parmesan. Seasoned with Italian herbs and optional red chili flakes for a hint of spice, this bake strikes the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Ready in just 45 minutes, including prep time, it’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing casserole that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil for a burst of color and freshness before serving!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
• 3 cups penne pasta, uncooked
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red chili flakes, if using.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef and sauce mixture. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 8

Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired.

Step 12

Serve the Beef Mozzarella Bake warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1849.8 grams (1849.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4252

Total Fat 146.20g	187%
Saturated Fat 63.10g	316%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 497mg	166%
Sodium 4707mg	205%
Total Carbohydrate 528.50g	192%
Dietary Fiber 25.90g	93%
Total Sugars 31.80g
Protein 212.90g	426%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1839mg	141%
Iron 19mg	103%
Potassium 2794mg	59%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.7%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 49.4%