Cheesy Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- • 450 g penne pasta
- • 500 g ground beef
- • 700 ml marinara sauce
- • 425 g ricotta cheese
- • 450 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
- • 100 g parmesan cheese, grated
- • 1 item egg
- • 150 g onion, diced
- • 3 cloves garlic
- • 30 ml olive oil
- • 5 ml dried basil
- • 5 ml dried oregano
- • 1 sprinkle salt to taste
- • 1 sprinkle black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- 2
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 1 minute less than recommended time. Drain and set aside.
- 3
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- 6
Stir in marinara sauce, basil, and oregano. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 7
In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese with the egg until well combined.
- 8
In the prepared baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- 9
Add half of the cooked pasta, then dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread gently.
- 10
Top with half of the remaining meat sauce and 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.
- 11
Repeat layers with remaining pasta, ricotta, and meat sauce.
- 12
Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and all of the parmesan cheese.
- 13
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- 14
Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- 15
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition data is approximate and derived from OpenFoodFacts.org. Values may vary based on ingredients, brands, and preparation methods. Not intended as dietary or medical advice.
Chef's Note
"The key to a perfect pasta bake is slightly undercooking the pasta - it will finish cooking in the oven and absorb the delicious sauce flavors. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with sautéed mushrooms and zucchini."
