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full italian ground beef pasta casserole for recipe card
Grant Logan

Italian Ground Beef Pasta Casserole: Easy Family Comfort Food

This Italian ground beef pasta casserole is comfort food made simple. With rich tomato sauce, savory beef, gooey cheese, and tender pasta baked to perfection, it’s a cozy, family-style dinner that tastes like a warm hug after a long day.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Casserole
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 450g ground beef (85–90% lean)
  • 3 cups short pasta penne, ziti, or rotini
  • 3 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated provolone or parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil or cooking spray for greasing

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook pasta until al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, cook ground beef with onion and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
  5. Add cooked pasta to the beef mixture and toss to combine.
  6. Spread half the mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle with half the cheese.
  7. Add remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining cheese.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  9. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Swap ground beef with sausage or turkey, or mix in veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition. This casserole freezes and reheats beautifully.