Description
This Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole is a hearty dish layered with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12-ounces medium shells pasta
- 1 29-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 small white onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 12-ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large, oven-safe skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once browned, add the minced onions, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for a few minutes.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and swirl 1/4 cup of water in the can to get every bit of sauce. Add the fresh basil leaves. Stir to combine and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Once the sauce has simmered, add the cooked pasta along with half of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until evenly combined (Transfer to an oven-safe casserole dish if you are not using an oven-safe skillet).
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the cheese.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, sausage or a meat alternative. Diced mushrooms and/or diced bell peppers are also great substitutes, or additions.
- Leave out the meat for a vegetarian baked pasta casserole.
- If swapping the tomato sauce for a jarred or homemade marinara, the sauce only needs to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Cook the pasta just to al dente.
- If possible, shred the mozzarella off the block.
- Parmesan cheese also makes for a great addition.
- Add a few dollops of ricotta cheese for extra creaminess.
- Broil for a few minutes to make the cheese bubbly and browned.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American