Description
A delicious and hearty baked pasta dish with ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent. Add the ground beef, cooking until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the meat sauce, stirring until well combined.
- Assemble the Bake: In a large baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Repeat with the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top if desired.
Notes
- For additional flavor, you can add crushed red pepper to the sauce for a bit of heat.
- Use a combination of cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan for different flavor profiles.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add a layer of ricotta cheese or bechamel sauce between the pasta and cheese layers for a creamier texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg