Here’s a hearty, family-style Pasta with Beef and Cheese recipe — rich, savory, and perfectly cheesy.
🍝 Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake
Ingredients (Serves 6)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra flavor)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion and garlic; cook 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5–7 minutes.
3️⃣ Combine
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix cooked pasta with beef sauce in a large bowl.
- Stir in half of the mozzarella and cheddar.
4️⃣ Bake
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil 2–3 minutes for a golden top (optional).
5️⃣ Serve
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
💡 Tips
- Add ricotta (½–1 cup) for a creamier texture.
- Mix in cooked mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey if preferred.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for 3–4 days.
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- 🧄 Creamy Alfredo beef pasta
- 🌶️ Spicy Tex-Mex beef pasta
- 🧀 Extra cheesy stovetop version (no baking)
Which one sounds good?
