Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this irresistible cheesy pasta bake that promises pure indulgence. Melted cheese, perfectly cooked pasta, and a golden crispy top create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 1 (24 ounces) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
Seasoning and Aromatic Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a robust 375°F (190°C), ensuring the cooking environment is perfectly temperature-controlled for maximum flavor development.
- Fill a large pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Gently submerge pasta and cook until achieving a tender al dente texture, approximately 8-9 minutes. Carefully drain and set pasta aside.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground beef, breaking it into delicate crumbles while cooking until a rich, caramelized brown emerges.
- Drain any excessive fat, then incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, adding diced tomatoes and a harmonious blend of Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer, developing deep, complex flavors.
- In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine the perfectly cooked pasta with creamy ricotta, creating a luxurious base. Fold in half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Introduce the robust meat sauce to the pasta mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure every morsel is lovingly coated with the savory sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a well-greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Lavishly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses across the top, creating a golden, inviting cheese blanket.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, watching as the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece.
- Allow the pasta bake to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors settle and the dish cool slightly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil, adding a vibrant touch of color and fresh herbaceous notes before serving.
Notes
- Choose shorter pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni for better sauce coating and easier eating experience.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or lean chicken to reduce fat content.
- Enhance vegetable intake by mixing in roasted zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers before baking for extra nutrition.
- Prepare the dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg