Ground Beef Italian Bake Saucy and Cheesy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

This Italian Beef Casserole Bake is an easy dinner recipe that combines savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and cheesy goodness for a satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is a one-pan wonder that your family will love.

With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can whip up this ground beef recipe in no time, making it an ideal choice for a delicious family dinner.

Hearty Italian Beef Casserole Recipe

This Italian Beef Casserole Bake features layers of seasoned ground beef, pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheese baked to perfection. It takes about 50 minutes from start to finish and serves 6 people.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rotini works well)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is cooked through and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess grease.
Add Pasta and Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, uncooked pasta, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Add Cheese: Remove the foil, sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.