Hearty Ground Beef and Mozzarella Pasta Bake
This hearty pasta bake is a comforting, family-friendly meal featuring seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- large pot
- large skillet or Dutch oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef preferably 80/20
- 12 oz Pasta penne, ziti, or cavatappi
- 1 medium Onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Canned Diced Tomatoes undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 cup Beef Broth
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated (for topping)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Fresh Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef in olive oil, breaking it up and draining any excess grease.
- Sauté chopped onion with the beef until softened, then stir in minced garlic for one minute until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and oregano; season with salt and pepper, then simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce in the skillet, ensuring all pasta is coated.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella, then add the remaining pasta mixture.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a bay leaf to the sauce while it simmers. Adjust seasoning to your preference.