This baked pasta dish is comfort food at its finest! With savory beef, two kinds of sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together with minimal effort. You can have this baked pasta on your dinner table in about an hour, and everyone will love it!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (you can also use turkey or chicken if you prefer)
- 1 onion, finely chopped (optional)
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce (I used Ragu Traditional, but you can choose your favorite)
- 1 package (16 oz) Penne pasta
- 1 jar (15 oz) Ragu Classic Alfredo sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (more if you love extra cheesy dishes!)
- Foil to cover the pan for baking
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Beef Mixture:
- In a large skillet, cook the 1 lb ground beef over medium heat until browned.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Add onions (if using) and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.
- Pour in 1 jar of pasta sauce (like Ragu Traditional) and stir to combine. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the Penne Noodles:
- While the beef mixture is simmering, bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add the Penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes).
- Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
- Combine Noodles and Alfredo Sauce:
- In a large baking pan (9×13 works great), add the cooked penne noodles.
- Pour 1 jar of Ragu Classic Alfredo sauce over the noodles and stir to ensure all the noodles are well coated with the sauce.
- Layer the Beef and Cheese:
- Spoon the beef and pasta sauce mixture over the Alfredo-coated noodles in the baking pan. Spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the beef mixture.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking pan with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese to bubble and turn golden brown.
- Serve:
- Once done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your easy and cheesy baked pasta dish!
Benefits:
- Quick & Simple: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something filling but easy to make.
- Versatile: You can swap out ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage for a different flavor profile. You can also use any pasta shape you prefer, like ziti or rigatoni!
- Cheesy & Comforting: With both pasta sauce and Alfredo sauce, this dish is rich, creamy, and indulgent without being overly complicated.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the whole dish ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to eat, just bake it off for a fresh, hot dinner!
Q&A:
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Absolutely! Penne works great for this dish, but you can use any short pasta like ziti, rigatoni, or shells. Just adjust the cooking time based on the pasta you choose.
Q: Can I make this dish vegetarian?
A: Yes! You can easily make this vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and replacing it with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini, or even some crumbled tofu for texture.
Q: Can I use a different brand of pasta sauce?
A: Of course! You can use any brand of pasta or Alfredo sauce you like. Homemade sauces also work wonderfully if you prefer to make your own.
Q: Can I freeze this for later?
A: Yes, this dish freezes well! You can assemble it, cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and then bake as instructed.
Q: How can I add more flavor to this recipe?
A: You can add extra flavor by including some crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat, or stirring in some fresh basil or oregano with the beef sauce for an extra punch. A dash of parmesan cheese on top before baking will also add richness!
This baked pasta recipe is so simple, but so satisfying. It’s the perfect comfort food, and the leftovers are amazing too! Let me know how it turns out! 😊