Description

This hearty ground beef casserole combines a rich, homemade marinara sauce with tender penne pasta and a blend of cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a comforting, family-friendly dish featuring seasoned ground beef, fragrant herbs, and a creamy tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a deliciously melty finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

32 oz. marinara sauce (high quality)
½ cup half and half (can substitute heavy cream)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire 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 the Sauce Mixture: Combine the marinara sauce, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, dried oregano, basil, parsley, and mustard powder in a bowl and set aside. Measure out all other ingredients before starting to cook.
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 375° F (190° C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
Boil Pasta Water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add ¾ tablespoon of salt to season the water adequately for pasta cooking.
Cook Ground Beef and Aromatics: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook and crumble for 3 minutes, then add diced onion and minced garlic. Stir occasionally until onions soften and beef is cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
Add Tomato Paste and Beef Broth: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in beef broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape the browned bits (fond) from the skillet bottom and sides into the sauce for enhanced flavor. Let the mixture simmer gently to reduce the liquid by half, about 3-4 minutes.
Simmer Sauce and Cook Pasta: Add the prepared sauce mixture from step 1 to the skillet and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer and keep uncovered. While simmering, cook the pasta in boiling water until just al dente, being careful not to overcook. Set a timer to track pasta cooking time accurately.
Add Cheeses to Sauce: Stir grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of mozzarella into the simmering sauce continuously to melt and integrate the cheese fully.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake and Broil: Bake the casserole uncovered for 10 minutes at 375° F. For a browned, bubbly cheese topping, switch the oven to broil at 450° F and broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley leaves. Let it rest for 5 minutes to set before serving. Enjoy warm, ideally served alongside garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

Use a high-quality marinara sauce for best flavor and consistency.
You can substitute the half and half with heavy cream for a richer sauce.
Do not overcook the pasta; it should be al dente as it will cook slightly further in the oven.
Drain excess fat from cooked beef to prevent greasiness in the casserole.
The broiling step is optional but recommended for a golden, bubbly cheese crust.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: ground beef casserole, baked pasta, ground beef recipe, easy casserole, cheesy bake, penne pasta casserole, comfort food