Italian Beef Pasta Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Italian Beef Pasta Bake! Perfectly cooked penne pasta is tossed with a rich and savory blend of seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and juicy diced tomatoes, then layered with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a truly irresistible dish. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of red pepper flakes, this hearty casserole is baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Quick to prepare and easy to assemble, this crowd-pleasing recipe is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor, this cheesy, flavorful pasta bake is destined to become a weeknight favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat.

Step 6

Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the beef and marinara mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan evenly over the top.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan.

Step 10

Cover the dish with 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.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your Italian Beef Pasta Bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2315.4 grams (2315.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3710

Total Fat 187.00g	240%
Saturated Fat 74.30g	372%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 522mg	174%
Sodium 6202mg	270%
Total Carbohydrate 309.00g	112%
Dietary Fiber 29.10g	104%
Total Sugars 28.90g
Protein 194.40g	389%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2372mg	182%
Iron 25mg	141%
Potassium 2836mg	60%

*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: 45.5%

Protein: 21.0%

Carbs: 33.4%