Cheesy Noodle Bake

Warm, comforting, and irresistibly cheesy, this Cheesy Noodle Bake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or your next potluck gathering. Packed with tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and a rich marinara sauce infused with garlic, onion, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, this baked pasta dish is layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese for a glorious golden topping. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a hearty blend of flavors, this baked pasta casserole is an easy, family-friendly recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Serve this bubbling, cheesy masterpiece with a crisp side salad and garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 24 oz Marinara sauce
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 Yellow onion, diced
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Oregano, dried
• 1 tsp Basil, dried
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened (about 3-4 minutes).

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and crumble the beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is well coated.

Step 7

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture evenly in the dish.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the pasta layer.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 10

Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 11

Allow the Cheesy Noodle Bake to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1906.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3619.1

Total Fat 183.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 79.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 577.1mg	0%
Sodium 6279.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 292.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.5g	0%
Total Sugars 21.9g
Protein 206.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2631.9mg	0%
Iron 23.3mg	0%
Potassium 2130.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.3%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 32.1%