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

Hearty Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake

This hearty pasta bake features lean ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, mixed with al dente rigatoni and baked with a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. It's a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta (or penne, ziti)
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Broiler (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
  2. Cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente, then drain and set it aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the ground beef until it's no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks; drain any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the beef in the skillet and cook until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth, then stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes to blend the flavors.
  6. Combine the cooked pasta with half of the meat sauce in a large mixing bowl, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle it with half of the shredded mozzarella and a quarter of the Parmesan cheese.
  8. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then evenly spoon the rest of the meat sauce over everything.
  9. Generously sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta bake.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is hot; for a golden-brown top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  11. Allow the pasta bake to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to let it set.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. This dish reheats well and is great for meal prep!