Name: Pasta Bake with Ground Beef and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); Salt and black pepper (to taste); 1 24 oz jar marinara or pasta sauce; 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for depth of flavor); 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 ball buffalo mozzarella (torn or 6–8 slices provolone); Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish (optional))

Description

A delicious baked pasta dish featuring tender short pasta, seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses.

Ingredients

Scale

2 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper (to taste)
1 24 oz jar marinara or pasta sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for depth of flavor)
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 ball buffalo mozzarella (torn or 6–8 slices provolone)
Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish (optional))

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Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. Drain and return it to the same pot off the heat.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, seasoning with onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the tomato paste and marinara sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Add the meat sauce to the pot with the cooked pasta.
Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the parmesan until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Top with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and provolone slices or torn buffalo mozzarella.
Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for golden cheese edges if desired.
Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.

Notes

For a bit of spice, add more red pepper flakes based on your preference.
This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 80mg