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A bubbling hot ground beef pasta bake fresh from the oven, topped with melted cheese.

Hearty Italian Beef & Mozzarella Bake

This hearty Italian beef and mozzarella bake features lean ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, combined with al dente penne pasta, and baked to perfection under a blanket of melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. A comforting and satisfying meal perfect for a family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Skillet
  • Dutch oven
  • Baking dish

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
  • 1 onion
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pasta & Cheese

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley Optional: chopped

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Cooking

  • In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, then drain any excess fat.
  • Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, then stir in the minced garlic for another minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth; stir in the Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
  • While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain well.
  • Add the drained pasta to the meat sauce and stir thoroughly to combine.

Layer and Bake

  • Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Top with the remaining pasta mixture, then scatter the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  • Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired.