Description

Get ready to serve up a bubbling dish of comfort with this Beef and Pasta Casserole—an easy dinner idea perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potlucks. It features hearty ground beef, pasta cooked to perfection, a rich tomato-based sauce, and a blanket of melted cheese that brings it all together. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner, a family-friendly recipe, or a dish to feed a crowd, this casserole has your back. It’s cozy, satisfying, and full of flavor—everything a great casserole should be.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

15 ounces tomato sauce

14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Boil the pasta in salted water, cooking it 1 minute less than the package recommends. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced onion until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

4. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.

5. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

6. In a large bowl or the same pot, combine the drained pasta with the beef sauce. Stir to coat evenly.

7. Layer half the pasta mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheeses.

8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

9. Let cool for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

Slightly undercook your pasta to avoid mushiness after baking.

Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving—it helps everything hold together beautifully.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: easy dinner, beef casserole, baked pasta, comfort food