Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake | Comfort Food Favorite

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb. pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni); 1 cup ricotta cheese; ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 1 egg, whisked; 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, separated; 1 lb. ground beef; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce (recommended Rao's or homemade); Fresh parsley, for garnish

Getting dinner on the table doesn’t have to be complicated, and this Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe is proof of that. It’s hearty, cheesy, and comes together faster than you’d expect for a comfort-food win.

The image shows a white rectangular dish filled with baked pasta. It has layers starting with a red tomato sauce mixed with ground meat at the bottom, then penne pasta coated in the sauce, topped with melted white and light orange cheese that is slightly browned and bubbly. Some green chopped herbs are sprinkled on top, adding fresh color. A silver fork with a wooden handle is lifting a serving of the pasta, showing stretchy melted cheese between the fork and the dish. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a pale beige cloth partially visible on the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of this Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a busy day and is so forgiving that even if you’re juggling a million things, it still turns out amazing.

Loaded with Cheese: The melty blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan makes every bite irresistibly creamy and comforting.
Simple Prep: Mostly one-pan cooking to brown the beef and mix everything together before baking makes cleanup easier—trust me, that’s a win.
Customizable: Whether you swap pasta shapes or add your favorite veggies and spices, this recipe adapts well to your pantry and cravings.
Family Favorite: It’s always a hit with kids and adults alike, which makes feeding a crowd effortless.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe plays a special role—from the hearty meat to the creamy cheeses and tangy marinara. Choosing quality ingredients and knowing why they’re there helps you nail the flavors.

Flat lay of uncooked ridged rigatoni pasta in a small mound, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh whole ricotta cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of finely grated Parmesan cheese, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small pile of fresh shredded mozzarella cheese, a portion of raw ground beef, one small yellow onion whole and unpeeled, three whole fresh garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of red pepper flakes, small white ceramic bowls containing salt, black pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning separately, two small white ceramic bowls filled with vibrant red marinara sauce, and a few sprigs of fresh green parsley arranged neatly, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni): These tubular shapes hold onto all that cheesy sauce, ensuring every bite is loaded with flavor.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds a rich creaminess that balances the savory meat and sharp Parmesan.
Parmesan Cheese: Offers a nutty, salty punch that brightens the entire dish.
Mozzarella Cheese: For that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes this pasta bake irresistible.
Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and a robust flavor base—swap in other ground meats to suit your taste.
Yellow Onion and Garlic: Classic aromatics that bring savory depth and a touch of sweetness.
Red Pepper Flakes: A hint of heat that wakes up the flavors without overpowering the dish.
Italian Seasoning & Onion Powder: Bring herbaceous notes and a savory backdrop to the sauce.
Marinara Sauce (Rao’s recommended): A quality jar makes all the difference—look for one with simple, wholesome ingredients or whip up your own if you have the time.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh flavor at the end.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch things up based on what’s in my fridge or what my family’s cravings are. This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe is honestly a fantastic canvas for your creativity — no need to stick rigidly to the recipe if you want to add a personal touch.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the beef for Italian sausage or add sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers for extra veggies — both ways are delicious and still turn out gooey and satisfying.
Make it vegetarian: Replace the meat with a hearty mix of lentils or cooked mushrooms for a satisfying meatless version.
Spice it up: Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce if you like a little heat to complement the cheesy richness.
Sauceless twist: If you’re short on marinara, add a touch more ricotta and mozzarella mixed with some pesto for a fresh, creamy alternative.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe

A white plate holds a layered baked pasta dish with a base layer of penne pasta mixed with a thick brown ground meat sauce. On top, there is a rich orange-red tomato sauce and melted creamy cheese layer with bubbles and browned edges. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled evenly over the cheese. There is a silver spoon with a black handle resting on the plate's edge. The white marbled surface serves as the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Build Flavor

Start by cooking your ground beef with diced onion over medium-high heat until everything is nicely browned and fragrant. Drain off any excess fat so your bake isn’t greasy, then add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. That quick saute along with the spices makes all the difference for a deeply flavorful base.

Step 2: Prepare the Pasta and Cheese Mixture

While your meat is cooking, boil your pasta until it’s just shy of al dente — about 2 minutes less than package instructions. This prevents it from getting mushy once it’s baking. Then mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and a cup of mozzarella cheese in a bowl; this mixture folds in creamy goodness throughout the bake.

Step 3: Combine and Layer

Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef mixture and heat through. Toss the pasta with about three-quarters of this sauce-and-beef combo, then spread it evenly in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Dot spoonfuls of the creamy cheese mixture across the pasta, then top with the remaining sauce mixture.

Step 4: Bake and Bubble

Cover your dish and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove the cover, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly on top, increase the oven temperature to 400°F, and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes. You’re looking for those beautiful bubbling edges and a bubbly, golden top — that signals it’s ready.

Top Tip

From making this Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe countless times, I learned a few little tricks that make the final dish so much better. Don’t rush the pasta cooking, and definitely drain your beef grease to keep it from becoming oily.

Perfect Pasta Timing: Cook the pasta just shy of al dente because it will continue cooking while baking. Too soft, and it turns into mush.
Cheese Quality Matters: I always grate my own Parmesan and mozzarella from blocks for a creamier, fresher taste.
Layer Mindfully: Dotting ricotta throughout rather than layering it all in one spot creates cheesy pockets that everyone loves.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Let the baked pasta sit for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven to help it set and make it easier to serve.

How to Serve Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe

The left side shows a white speckled bowl with four ingredients arranged in sections: a pile of shredded pale yellow cheese on the left, finely grated white cheese at the top, a round soft white cheese wheel on the right, and a raw egg with a bright yellow yolk and clear surrounding white at the bottom. The right side shows a light cream-colored pan filled with cooked ground brown meat mixed with small pieces of translucent cooked onions, spread evenly across the pan. Both are set against a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I finish mine with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and brightness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top right before serving because, well, cheese makes everything better!

Side Dishes

Garlic bread with melted cheese is my classic sidekick here—it’s perfect for sopping up any tomato sauce left on your plate. A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette adds freshness and balances all the gooey goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For family dinners or casual entertaining, serve individual portions in small ramekins and bake them the same way—they look adorable and cut down serving mess. For a festive touch, add roasted cherry tomatoes on top right before baking for bursts of sweetness and color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, and it reheats beautifully, so you could even make this a meal prep winner.

Freezing

This pasta bake freezes well too. I assemble it as usual, cover tightly with foil, and freeze it for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and add an extra 10 minutes to the covered baking time for perfect results.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover leftovers loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. For the last 5 minutes, I remove the foil to let the cheese get bubbly again—just like fresh from the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different ground meats in this Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! You can replace ground beef with ground pork, turkey, sausage, or even a combination. Just adjust cooking times and seasoning as needed.

What’s the best type of pasta to use?

Tubed pastas like ziti, penne, or rigatoni work best since they hold onto the sauce nicely. The ridged versions (‘rigati’) cling even better, giving you maximum saucy bites.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the pasta, meat sauce, and cheese mixture, assemble the casserole, then cover and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Just add extra baking time covered to ensure it’s heated through.

How do I avoid mushy pasta in the bake?

The key is to cook your pasta about 2 minutes less than al dente before baking, as it finishes cooking in the oven absorbing sauce. Overcooking it beforehand will result in mushy texture.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe has become one of my go-to dinners because it’s simultaneously comforting, easy, and endlessly adaptable. I love sharing it with friends who want to impress without fuss—once you try it, I bet it’ll become a staple in your rotation too.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way