Easy Pasta Beef Bake

Craving comfort food that’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious? This Easy Pasta Beef Bake is your answer! Perfectly cooked penne pasta is tossed with a rich and hearty ground beef marinara sauce, layered with melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this family-friendly dinner comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Infused with fragrant garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of fresh parsley for garnish, this dish offers all the classic flavors of Italian-American cuisine in one satisfying bake. Serve it warm with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for an unforgettable meal that’s guaranteed to please.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 2

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

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 6

Stir the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the skillet with the cooked beef. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with the beef and marinara mixture. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour half of the pasta and beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the layer.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta and beef mixture on top, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly across the surface.

Step 10

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

Step 11

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

Step 12

Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1883.3 grams (1883.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3513

Total Fat 171.80g	220%
Saturated Fat 72.00g	360%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 522mg	174%
Sodium 5725mg	249%
Total Carbohydrate 294.00g	107%
Dietary Fiber 20.90g	75%
Total Sugars 18.30g
Protein 198.90g	398%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2227mg	171%
Iron 23mg	126%
Potassium 1981mg	42%

*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: 44.0%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 33.4%