Cheesy Beef and Tomato Baked Pasta
A comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender beef, juicy tomatoes, and a golden cheese crust. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Story
This baked pasta brings together classic Italian flavors with a creamy, cheesy topping that crisps up beautifully in the oven. The combination of savory beef, bright tomatoes, and melted cheese makes for a satisfying one-dish meal.
Ingredients
penne or rigatoni pasta
400g
ground beef
300g
canned crushed tomatoes
400g
onion, diced
1 medium
garlic cloves, minced
3
mozzarella cheese, shredded
200g
parmesan cheese, grated
50g
olive oil
2 tablespoons
dried oregano
1 teaspoon
salt and pepper
to taste
fresh basil leaves
for garnish
Instructions
1
Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, cook potato cubes in a small pot for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender, then drain.
2
Brown the beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
3
Build the sauce
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in half the mozzarella cheese.
4
Combine and transfer to baking dish
Add the cooked pasta to the beef and tomato mixture. Toss everything together until well combined. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish and spread evenly.
5
Add cheese and bake
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top. Bake in a preheated 200°C (400°F) oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
6
Rest and serve
Let the baked pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and enjoy hot.
