Italian Escape Casserole

Take your taste buds on a flavorful journey with the Italian Escape Casserole, a hearty and comforting bake that brings the vibrant essence of Italy straight to your table. This crowd-pleasing recipe layers tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and zesty Italian sausage in a rich marinara and diced tomato sauce, enhanced with a fragrant blend of garlic and Italian seasoning. Creamy dollops of ricotta cheese marry beautifully with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan, creating a luscious, cheesy topping that bakes to golden perfection. Ready in under an hour, this easy-to-make casserole is ideal for family dinners or meal prep. Garnish with fresh basil for a touch of brightness, and savor every bite of this irresistible blend of classic Italian flavors. Perfect for cozy nights or entertaining guests, this baked pasta dish will transport you to the Mediterranean with its warm, comforting embrace.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 12 ounces cooked penne pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium, and add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 6

In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta and meat mixture across the bottom. Dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over this layer.

Step 7

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan over the ricotta layer.

Step 8

Add the remaining pasta and meat mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Layer the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top.

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 another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden.

Step 11

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3051.2 grams (3051.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4728

Total Fat 315.90g	405%
Saturated Fat 130.70g	653%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.80g
Cholesterol 1015mg	338%
Sodium 10274mg	447%
Total Carbohydrate 196.70g	72%
Dietary Fiber 21.10g	75%
Total Sugars 43.70g
Protein 291.00g	582%

Vitamin D 181IU	907%
Calcium 3393mg	261%
Iron 22mg	122%
Potassium 4002mg	85%

*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: 59.3%

Protein: 24.3%

Carbs: 16.4%