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Cheesy Baked Beef & Pasta Casserole

This Cheesy Baked Beef & Pasta Casserole is pure comfort in every bite! Tender pasta, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese come together in one easy, family-friendly dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef & Pasta
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Choose lean for less grease.
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni Cook until al dente.
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil For sautéing.
  • 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the Cheese Layer
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese Optional for extra creaminess.
For Garnish
  • Fresh chopped parsley For garnish.
  • Red pepper flakes Optional for a kick.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 4 minutes, then stir in the garlic.
  4. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Fold the cooked macaroni into the beef mixture until evenly coated.
Baking
  1. Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish. If using ricotta, dollop it throughout the casserole.
  2. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Broil for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden brown. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Serve with garlic bread or buttery dinner rolls. Pair with a Caesar salad or steamed broccoli. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh basil before serving.