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.
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
- Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bake
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set. Enjoy this comforting, cheesy Italian-inspired dish!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!