Cheesy Baked Pasta & Beef Casserole Recipe

Looking for a quick and easy baked pasta recipe? I have your covered with this cheesy pasta and beef baked casserole! Yum!

One of my favorite restaurant dishes is Olive Garden’s five cheese baked ziti. I have been craving it for quite sometime now and one day, decided to try to make it myself. After browsing my kitchen and pantry I quickly realized I did not have five cheeses, so I was going to have to improvise. In doing so, I created a new family favorite pasta dish! 

If you love cheese like we do, you are sure to enjoy this baked beef and pasta dish, I promise you that! It is really easy and takes less than 30 minutes to whip together. I hope you enjoy it! 

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Ingredients For Baked Pasta

• 1 lb penne (or preferred pasta)
• 12 oz your favorite marinara sauce
• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 slices american cheese
• 2 cups diced mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder

The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it according to your tastes. So if you prefer a different kind of cheese, throw it in there. Don’t like garlic powder? Skip it! Want to add some spice? Throw some chili powder or paprika into the beef mixture. The sky is the limit!

Directions For Baked Pasta

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to box directions.
In the meantime brown ground beef.
Drain beef and stir in 4 oz marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and onion powder.
Drain pasta.
Stir in diced mozzarella cheese, remaining marinara sauce, and beef, mixing thoroughly.

Put mixture in casserole baking dish.
Top with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Place american cheese slices on top.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes (ovens vary in temperature).
Let cool and serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes