Nona's Italian Pasta Casserole

Experience the comforting flavors of Italy with Nona's Italian Pasta Casserole, a hearty and irresistible dish perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. This recipe layers tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and zesty Italian sausage with a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and classic Italian herbs. Creamy ricotta cheese, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan add indulgent texture and bold flavor, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Quick to prepare and oven-ready in under an hour, this pasta bake is a crowd-pleaser that's as easy as it is delicious. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and serve piping hot for the ultimate Italian comfort food experience. Perfect for weeknight meals or meal prep, this casserole will have everyone asking for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams penne pasta
• 500 grams ground beef
• 250 grams Italian sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 250 grams ricotta cheese
• 300 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) casserole dish.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix well.

Step 7

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Add half of the cooked pasta in an even layer.

Step 8

Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread gently. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce on top.

Step 9

Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.

Step 10

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots.

Step 12

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2817.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5473.0

Total Fat 284.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 132.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.4g
Cholesterol 1020.8mg	0%
Sodium 9475.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 428.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.0g	0%
Total Sugars 51.8g
Protein 332.1g	0%

Vitamin D 100IU	0%
Calcium 4637.2mg	0%
Iron 39.3mg	0%
Potassium 6631.4mg	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: 45.7%

Protein: 23.7%

Carbs: 30.6%