I whipped this up for dinner last night, and let me tell you—there wasn’t a single bite.

As the sun begins to set and the aroma of home-cooked meals fills the air, there’s nothing quite like this comforting dish to bring everyone together. With its rich flavors and heartwarming warmth, this recipe is a perfect choice for family gatherings or a cozy dinner with friends. Whether you’re entertaining guests or looking to treat yourself after a long day, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, pleasing both the palate and the soul.

What makes this dish truly special is its simple yet satisfying components that create a medley of flavors in every bite. From the first taste to the last, you’ll experience a delightful harmony that feels both familiar and new—a recipe that evokes memories while promising to create new ones. So gather your loved ones, and get ready to enjoy a feast that makes every moment memorable!

This is what the finished dish looks like when perfectly baked.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups cooked pasta of your choice
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Here you can see the scrumptious ingredients prepared and ready to go.

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Mix in the diced tomatoes, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. While the meat mixture simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
6. Once the meat mixture is ready, stir in the cooked pasta until well combined.
7. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a touch of color and freshness.

Tips & Variations

• Ingredient substitutions: You can swap out ground beef or turkey for plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian option.
• Optional variations: Add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach for added nutrition and flavor.
• Storage or reheating tips: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Information

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Difficulty level: Easy

This is a generic image description or alt-text for the recipe.

Baked Pasta with Meat and Cheese

450kcal

Pinterest Facebook Share on X

Share Print

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 30 minutes mins

Total 45 minutes mins

A comforting baked pasta dish featuring ground meat, savory spices, and melted cheese, perfect for family gatherings.

Servings 6 servings

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Ingredients

1x2x3x

For the Meat Sauce

• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 medium onion, diced
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• ▢ 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ to taste Salt and pepper

For Assembly

• ▢ 2 cups cooked pasta of your choice
• ▢ 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• ▢ Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method

Prevent Sleep ModePrevent Sleep Mode

Preparation

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Mix in the diced tomatoes, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. While the meat mixture simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Assembly and Baking

1. Once the meat mixture is ready, stir in the cooked pasta until well combined.
2. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a touch of color and freshness.

Nutrition

Serving1gCalories450kcalCarbohydrates45gProtein30gFat20gSaturated Fat10gSodium600mgFiber3gSugar5g

Notes

Ingredient substitutions: You can swap out ground beef or turkey for plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian option. Optional variations: Add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach for added nutrition and flavor. Storage or reheating tips: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!