Cheesy Baked Pasta with Ground Beef
This cheesy baked pasta combines seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella in one assembled casserole—a reliable weeknight comfort food that comes together quickly.
This cheesy baked pasta combines seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella in one assembled casserole—a reliable weeknight comfort food that comes together quickly.
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the beef is cooked through, add two jars of marinara sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer.
Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
Add half of your cooked pasta to the bottom of the casserole dish.
Pour half of the meat sauce over the pasta and stir to combine.
Dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta and sauce mixture.
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
Add the remaining cooked pasta on top.
Top with the rest of the meat sauce, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Cool leftovers completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions until hot.
9×13 inch baking dish · large skillet or Dutch oven
Yes. Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10–15 minutes to bake time if baking from cold.
Ziti is traditional, but penne, rigatoni, or any medium tube pasta holds the sauce and cheese well.
Don't skip browning the ground beef to release moisture, use jarred marinara (not fresh tomato sauce), and drain excess fat after cooking the meat.
Yes. Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat covered at 350°F until heated through.
Cottage cheese (blend until smooth) or a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream work as replacements.
