Warm up your kitchen and your heart with this Cozy Italian Baked Pasta Casserole.

This hearty dish brings together tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich blend of tomato sauce and melted cheese, creating a comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.

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With its blend of classic Italian flavors and simple preparation, this casserole is sure to become a favorite go-to recipe for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 3 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 14.5 ounces can of diced tomatoes
• 1 chopped onion
• 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells or pasta of choice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 24 ounces jar of spaghetti sauce
• 4 ounces can of drained mushroom stems and pieces

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

• Stir in the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained mushrooms, and Italian seasoning.
• Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes to let the flavors blend together.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

• While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente.
• Drain well and set aside.

Step 5: Combine and Layer

• Mix the cooked pasta and sliced plum tomatoes into the beef sauce mixture.
• Transfer everything into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses over the top.

Step 6: Bake

• Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Serve

• Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set.
• Enjoy this comforting, cheesy Italian-inspired dish!

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of medium shells?

Yes, you can substitute medium pasta shells with any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.

Can I replace ground beef with another type of meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even pork can be used as alternatives to ground beef. This can alter the flavor slightly but will still result in a delicious dish.

Cozy Italian Baked Pasta Casserole

This Cozy Italian Baked Pasta Casserole is a hearty, family-friendly dish featuring tender pasta, flavorful ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheese for a comforting meal.

Print Pin Rate

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 plum tomatoes thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• ▢ 1 medium onion chopped
• ▢ ¾ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• ▢ ¾ cup shredded provolone cheese
• ▢ 2 lb ground beef
• ▢ 3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells or your preferred pasta
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ▢ 1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
• ▢ 1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces drained

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

1. Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

Cook the Beef Mixture

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and no longer pink.

   Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

   Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Prepare the Sauce

1. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained mushrooms, and Italian seasoning.

   Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes to let the flavors blend together.

Cook the Pasta

1. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain well and set aside.

Combine and Layer

1. Mix the cooked pasta and sliced plum tomatoes into the beef sauce mixture.

   Transfer everything into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

   Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses over the top.

Bake

1. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve

1. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set.

   Enjoy this comforting, cheesy Italian-inspired dish!

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