Print

Family Easy Pasta Bake

Family easy pasta bake recipe with golden brown crispy cheese crust and penne pasta.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This cheesy, savory pasta bake is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up meat, until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Drain excess grease.
  4. Add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Remove skillet from heat. Stir the cooked pasta and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese into the meat sauce until evenly combined.
  6. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the pasta mixture and gently spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese over the top.
  7. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
  8. Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Notes

For a one-pan meal, use an oven-safe skillet. Do not overcook the pasta. Letting the bake rest before serving helps it set. You can substitute ground turkey, Italian sausage, or lentils for the beef.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/family-easy-pasta-bake/