Ground Beef Penne Pasta Bake with Marinara and Mozzarella Recipe
This Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish combining tender penne with seasoned ground beef, fragrant marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it offers rich Italian flavors with fresh basil and a golden cheesy topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces penne pasta
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, torn (plus more for garnishing)
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Boil Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta but reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Transfer the pasta to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the ground beef and diced onions, seasoning with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook while breaking up the beef with the back of a spoon until the meat is browned and the onions softened, approximately 10 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Marinara Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the marinara sauce along with the torn fresh basil. Mix well and then spoon this sauce mixture over the pasta in the baking dish. Gently toss to combine everything evenly. Add the reserved pasta water gradually until the sauce appears glossy and well-coated on the pasta.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with additional fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your comforting ground beef casserole.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and achieve a glossy finish.
- Use fresh basil for best flavor and garnish with extra for a vibrant presentation.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- You can prepare the marinara sauce homemade or store-bought depending on time.
- Make sure to brown the beef well to develop rich flavor.