Description
This hearty Ground Beef Casserole combines rich marinara sauce with seasoned ground beef, pasta, and melted cheeses, baked to perfection for a comforting and flavorful meal that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 32 oz. marinara sauce (high quality)
- ½ cup half and half (can substitute heavy cream)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon mustard powder
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¾ lb. penne pasta
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: Combine the marinara sauce, half and half, soy sauce, hot sauce, dried oregano, basil, parsley, and mustard powder in a bowl and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients before starting.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get ready for baking the casserole.
- Boil Water for Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, then add ¾ tablespoon of salt to season the pasta water.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: Season the ground beef generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef, and cook while crumbling for about 3 minutes. Add diced onion and minced garlic, stirring occasionally until onions soften and beef is fully cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
- Add Tomato Paste and Beef Broth: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen flavor. Pour in beef broth, scraping the bottom and sides of the skillet with a silicone spatula to loosen browned bits (fond). Let the liquid bubble and reduce by half over 3-4 minutes for concentrated flavor.
- Simmer with Sauce Mixture: Add the prepared sauce from step one to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer uncovered while boiling the pasta until just al dente. Use a timer to prevent overcooking the pasta.
- Add Cheeses to Sauce: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of the mozzarella cheese into the sauce, stirring constantly until melted and fully incorporated.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the sauce in the skillet. Toss well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the sauced pasta mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Evenly top the casserole with the remaining 1¾ cups mozzarella cheese.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the casserole uncovered at 375°F for 10 minutes. For a browner and crispier top, broil at 450°F for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving. Pair with garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use a high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor and texture.
- Half and half can be substituted with heavy cream for a richer dish.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture is ideal to prevent mushiness after baking.
- Drain excess grease from the cooked beef well to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Watch carefully during broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- For extra flavor, fresh parsley garnish is recommended.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
