Description
This hearty Pasta Bake combines tender pasta, rich ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, savory ground beef, and a flavorful marinara sauce baked to bubbly perfection. Layers of creamy cheese and rich meat sauce create a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta and Cheese Mixture
- 1 lb. Pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 egg (whisked)
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (divided, 1 cup for mixture, 1 ½ cups for topping)
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the pasta.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, the whisked egg, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly and set aside to use as a creamy layer in the bake.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente to avoid mushiness after baking. Drain pasta carefully and set aside.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble ground beef with diced onions until beef is browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce to the meat mixture, heat through on the stovetop, then remove from heat.
- Combine and Layer: Mix the drained pasta with about ¾ of the meat sauce mixture. Transfer this combination to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta and then spread the remaining ¼ meat sauce over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil or a lid and bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees to let flavors meld and heat through.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the cover and sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm, ideally accompanied by garlic bread with cheese.
Notes
- This recipe uses a generous amount of sauce as the pasta absorbs much during baking, ensuring it does not become dry.
- Timing the pasta cooking carefully is important to avoid mushy pasta after baking.
- Use a large enough baking dish (9 x 13 inches) for even cooking and layering.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or plant-based meat for dietary preferences.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
