Go Back
Cheesy ground beef and rotini pasta bake in a baking dish

Cheesy Beef & Pasta Bake

Rotini tossed in a hearty beef and tomato sauce, then baked under bubbling melted cheese. An easy, crowd-pleasing casserole that feeds eight on a budget.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes, until browned. Drain excess fat and stir in the garlic.
  4. Add the marinara, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 minutes. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Combine the pasta and sauce and transfer to the baking dish.
  6. Top with mozzarella and cheddar. Bake 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil 1–2 minutes for a golden top, if desired.
  7. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Add a bag of frozen spinach or chopped zucchini to the sauce to stretch it further.
  • Use Italian sausage for extra flavor.
  • Assemble ahead and refrigerate up to 24 hours; add 10 minutes to the bake time.
  • Whole wheat pasta adds fiber.