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Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake

A hearty square portion of Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake with melted mozzarella topping.
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Make this hearty, cheesy ground beef pasta bake for a satisfying comfort food dinner. This casserole combines seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a rich cheese sauce, then bakes until bubbly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces ziti or penne pasta
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  6. In a separate saucepan, whisk together the beef broth, milk, and flour over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  7. Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, and all of the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and the ground beef mixture to the cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta and meat are evenly coated.
  9. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  10. Top evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
  11. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For an extra rich flavor, use half and half instead of milk in the cheese sauce.
  • You can add 1/2 cup of frozen peas or chopped bell peppers when you sauté the onions for added vegetables.
  • To make this dish ahead of time, assemble it completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/cheesy-ground-beef-pasta-bake-comfort-food/