Easy Italian Casserole

Uncover the hearty flavors of Italy with this Easy Italian Casserole, a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This comforting casserole combines tender rotini pasta with a rich marinara and ground beef sauce, enhanced by aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Layers of gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan cheese create a crave-worthy, golden-bubbly topping that will have everyone reaching for seconds. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients, this oven-baked delight is as easy to make as it is delicious. Serve it with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal! Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or potlucks, this recipe checks all the boxes for flavor and convenience.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.

Step 6

Stir in the minced garlic, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 7

In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by half of the marinara sauce mixture, and then half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

Step 8

Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 9

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2339.7 grams (2339.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3685

Total Fat 173.20g	222%
Saturated Fat 72.10g	360%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 522mg	174%
Sodium 6203mg	270%
Total Carbohydrate 324.00g	118%
Dietary Fiber 28.80g	103%
Total Sugars 43.70g
Protein 203.70g	407%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2478mg	191%
Iron 24mg	133%
Potassium 3043mg	65%

*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: 42.5%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 35.3%