Description
This comforting Italian-inspired casserole features savory browned ground beef and tender pasta baked in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with a golden, crispy panko and parmesan crust, it is the ultimate family-friendly meal. Easy to assemble, this hearty bake is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying, flavor-packed dinner that everyone will love.
Ingredients
8 ounces penne pasta
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
12 ounces marinara sauce
14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with herbs, undrained
0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
0.5 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
0.25 cup panko breadcrumbs
0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
Cook the penne pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente; drain.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef with the onion until fully cooked.
Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
Add the marinara sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and sugar to the skillet; simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Top evenly with shredded mozzarella, followed by a mixture of panko and parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
Notes
Feel free to add bell peppers or spinach to the sauce for extra nutrition. This dish stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and tastes even better as leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg