Cozy Family Pasta Bake
Cozy Family Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28-ounce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup water or broth
For the Cheese Topping
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 8 min
- 4
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min
- 5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and water or broth. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it gently cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, the egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the meat sauce in the skillet. Stir gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Spread half of the pasta and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Carefully dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Top with the remaining pasta and meat sauce mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cozy Family Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28-ounce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup water or broth
For the Cheese Topping
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 8 min - 4
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min - 5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and water or broth. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it gently cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, the egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the meat sauce in the skillet. Stir gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Spread half of the pasta and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Carefully dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Top with the remaining pasta and meat sauce mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375