Ultimate Baked Pasta with Meat and Ricotta Recipe
Introduction
This hearty pasta bake is a comforting dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey cheese come together for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare and delicious to eat.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 egg (whisked)
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, whisked egg, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
- Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente, then drain carefully to avoid overcooking.
- Step 4: While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking and crumbling the meat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Step 5: Stir in minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 6: Pour in marinara sauce, stir to combine, and heat through. Remove from heat.
- Step 7: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with about three-quarters of the meat sauce. Transfer this mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- Step 8: Dollop the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer, then spoon the remaining meat sauce on top.
- Step 9: Cover the dish and bake for 20 minutes.
- Step 10: Remove the cover and sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese on top. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
- Step 11: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot, ideally with garlic bread topped with melted cheese.
Tips & Variations
- Use a sturdy pasta shape like rigatoni or penne to hold up well in the bake.
- For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
- Make sure to slightly undercook the pasta so it doesn’t become mushy after baking.
- Add fresh basil or oregano for enhanced herbal flavor.
- Try using smoked mozzarella for a subtle smoky twist.
Storage
Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions until hot, though baking keeps the texture better.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this pasta bake ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish completely and refrigerate it overnight before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
What is the best cheese to use for this recipe?
Mozzarella provides great meltiness, while ricotta adds creaminess and Parmesan brings savory depth. Using all three creates the perfect cheese balance in this bake.
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Ultimate Baked Pasta with Meat and Ricotta Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This hearty and comforting Pasta Bake combines al dente pasta with rich marinara sauce, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy cheese mixture. Baked to perfection with layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or meal prepping. Topped with fresh parsley and served with garlic bread, it’s a satisfying Italian-inspired casserole that’s flavorful and easy to make.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb. pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 egg (whisked)
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, divided
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, whisked egg, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir well and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente according to package instructions to avoid mushiness after baking. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with diced onions until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess grease. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to heat through, then remove from heat.
- Assemble Pasta Bake: In a baking dish (9 x 13 inches), mix the drained pasta with about ¾ of the sauce mixture. Spread evenly. Dollop the cheese mixture over the pasta, distributing it evenly. Pour the remaining meat sauce on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Brown: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm, ideally with cheesy garlic bread.
Notes
- Use plenty of sauce as the pasta absorbs a lot during baking, ensuring it remains moist and flavorful.
- Cooking pasta slightly under al dente prevents it from becoming mushy in the bake.
- Drain excess grease after cooking beef to avoid a greasy bake.
- For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the flavors deepen after resting overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Pasta bake, baked ziti, pasta casserole, Italian pasta recipe, comfort food, ground beef pasta bake, ricotta pasta bake
