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Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake

A close-up of a square serving of Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Comfort Food topped with melted mozzarella.
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A simple, hearty recipe for a comforting pasta bake featuring seasoned ground beef in a creamy sauce, topped with melted cheese.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces pasta (like elbow macaroni or penne)
  • 3 cups water or beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
  5. Add the uncooked pasta, water or broth, and milk to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is mostly tender. Stir occasionally.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
  8. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
  9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese.
  10. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or ground Italian sausage for the ground beef.
  • For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano with the Italian seasoning.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after simmering, add a splash more milk or broth before baking.

Nutrition

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