As seen in our latest Instagram reel
Tender pasta, savory ground beef, and layers of gooey melted cheese baked until golden and bubbly — this Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake is weeknight comfort at its very best. This is the family-dinner hero from @homecookingbymadison that had everyone commenting PASTA for the recipe. Seasoned beef and pasta folded through a rich tomato sauce, topped with a thick blanket of mozzarella and cheddar, baked until the top turns golden and stretchy. Pure cozy, straight from the oven.
Why you’ll love them
- One baking dish, zero fuss — everything finishes together in the oven.
- Golden, bubbly, stretchy cheese top in every single serving.
- Serious protein: roughly 30g per serving from beef and cheese.
- Reheats beautifully — a true make-ahead weeknight win.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) penne or rigatoni
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85/15)
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- 24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water 2 minutes shy of the package time — it finishes in the oven. Drain.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef and onion 6–7 minutes until browned. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in the marinara and simmer 5 minutes.
- Combine: In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the meat sauce, ricotta, and half the mozzarella until everything is coated.
- Assemble: Spread into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling at the edges. Rest 10 minutes so it sets for clean slices.
- Serve: Shower with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Tips
- Undercook the pasta slightly — it absorbs sauce in the oven and won’t turn mushy.
- Shred your own cheese if you can; pre-shredded melts less smoothly thanks to the anti-caking starch.
- Cover with foil if the top browns too fast, then uncover for the last 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving (recipe makes 8 servings): ~540 calories, ~30g protein, ~25g fat, ~38g carbs. Values are estimates computed from USDA reference data, not lab-tested.
Extra marinara on the side or straight from the dish? Follow @homecookingbymadison on Instagram for the reel and more easy recipes.
