Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: ½ cup chopped bell peppers or mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Sauté the beef: Heat olive oil in a pan, add onions and garlic, then sauté until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Season the sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble the casserole: In the baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, half of the meat sauce, and a mix of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. Repeat the layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra moisture, add an extra ½ cup of tomato sauce.
- Spice it up with red pepper flakes or Italian sausage.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~450
- Sugar: ~5g
- Sodium: ~600mg
- Fat: ~22g
- Saturated Fat: ~10g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Protein: ~30g
- Cholesterol: ~60mg