Italian Beef Pasta Bake

🇮🇹 Easy Italian Beef Pasta Bake (No Ricotta)

🧄 Ingredients:

1 lb (450g) ground beef

12 oz (340g) pasta (ziti, penne, or rotini)

1 jar (24 oz) pasta or marinara sauce

1 small onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)

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🍳 Instructions:

1. Cook Pasta:

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown Beef:

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.

Add chopped onion and garlic; cook until softened (about 3 minutes).

3. Make Sauce:

Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.

Simmer for 5 minutes, taste, and season with salt and pepper.

4. Combine:

In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with the beef sauce.

5. Assemble in Baking Dish:

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Layer half the pasta mixture, sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan.

Add the rest of the pasta and top with the remaining cheese.

6. Bake:

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.

7. Garnish & Serve:

Let sit for 5 minutes. 

🥗 Perfect Pairings:

Caesar salad

Cheesy garlic bread

Roasted green beans or broccoli