Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake | Comforting, irresistible dinner

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb. pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni); 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 1 egg, whisked; 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, separated; 1 lb. ground beef; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce (recommend Rao's brand or homemade); Fresh parsley, to garnish

There’s nothing quite like a warm, bubbling pasta dish to bring everyone together. This Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake Recipe is one of those hearty meals that feels like a big, comforting hug on a plate—ooey-gooey cheese, savory beef, and just the right amount of sauce all baked to perfection.

A white rectangular baking dish holds a baked pasta casserole with three main layers. The bottom layer is a rich red tomato sauce with bits of cooked meat visible. The middle layer consists of tubular pasta mixed with cheese and sauce, showing soft yellow and orange tones. The top layer is thick melted cheese, golden and bubbly, scattered with green parsley pieces. A woman’s hand with a metal spatula lifts a portion of the dish, revealing cheesy, stringy melted cheese stretching between the pasta and the dish. The scene is set on a black marbled surface with a white cloth nearby. 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 Beef Pasta Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to say, this cheese-packed pasta bake is one of my go-to comfort dishes, especially when I want something that feels indulgent but ends up being surprisingly easy to whip up. Every time I make it, my family dives in and asks for seconds.

Ultimate comfort food: Gooey cheese, savory beef, and tender pasta create the perfect cozy combo that’s always a winner.
Simple prep with big flavor: It’s approachable for any home cook but delivers bold, satisfying tastes.
Flexible to suit your tastes: You can customize meats, spice levels, and cheeses so it feels like your own signature bake.
Feeds a crowd: This recipe easily serves 8, making it great for family dinners or company.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a key role in creating the layers of flavor and texture that make this cheesy beef pasta bake so irresistible. I always recommend opting for fresh cheeses when you can — they melt better and add extra creaminess.

Flat lay of uncooked ridged rigatoni pasta scattered beside a small mound of fresh ricotta cheese, a chunk of block Parmesan cheese with some finely grated shavings beside it, one whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small pile of shredded mozzarella cheese, a portion of raw ground beef with a bright red color, a small yellow onion whole and unpeeled, three garlic cloves peeled and whole, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red marinara sauce, a tiny white bowl holding red pepper flakes, another bowl with mixed Italian seasoning powder, a few sprigs of fresh green parsley placed neatly, salt and black pepper in separate small white bowls -- arranged symmetrically 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): Tubular pastas hold onto the sauce beautifully, especially if you choose ridged varieties like rigatoni rigati.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy richness that balances the robust tomato sauce and beef.
Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, nutty Parmesan gives depth and a lovely salty punch.
Egg: Binds the ricotta mixture, helping it stay creamy and luscious instead of watery.
Mozzarella Cheese: The star melting cheese that creates that irresistible gooey topping and interior pockets.
Ground Beef: Provides savory, meaty flavor and hearty texture. I sometimes mix beef with ground pork for extra juiciness.
Onion and Garlic: Classic aromatics that deepen the savory notes of the sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch adds a warm kick without overpowering the dish.
Seasonings (Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning): Essential for building flavor layers that keep every bite interesting.
Marinara Sauce: The foundation that ties everything together. I’m loyal to Rao’s marinara or my homemade batch for freshness and sweetness.
Fresh Parsley: A bright garnish that adds a pop of color and freshness 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 love switching things up depending on the mood or what’s in my fridge. You can make this recipe your own by playing with different meats, adding veggies, or swapping cheeses. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Variation: I sometimes swap half the ground beef for Italian sausage, which adds an extra layer of flavor and a bit of spice — it’s a game changer.
Vegetarian option: Use plant-based ground “beef” and extra mushrooms or lentils to keep it hearty.
Spice it up: Add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce stirred into the marinara for those who like heat.
Cheese swap: Try adding fresh mozzarella balls tossed in or scatter some crumbled feta for a tangy twist.

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

A white plate holds a serving of baked pasta with two main layers. The bottom layer is a rich, chunky tomato sauce mixed with ground meat and penne pasta, showing an orange-red color with a textured look from the meat and sauce. On top lies a thick layer of melted cheese that is creamy white with golden brown spots, bubbling and stretching slightly in the center. Small green parsley pieces are sprinkled over the cheese, adding a fresh color contrast. A silver spoon with a black handle rests on the edge of the plate. The plate is set against a black marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep the Cheese Mixture

Start by mixing the ricotta, Parmesan, whisked egg, and a cup of mozzarella. I find whisking the egg first helps it blend evenly, so the cheese mixture stays creamy when baked. Set this aside while you work on the meat and pasta.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for about 2 minutes less than the package says for al dente. This short cooking time ensures it stays firm through baking and doesn’t turn mushy. Don’t skip timing this exactly—trust me, I’ve learned the hard way!

Step 3: Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics

While pasta cooks, brown your ground beef with diced onion over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain the grease — this keeps the bake from being greasy but leaves the flavor. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning; cook together for about a minute to bloom those seasonings.

Step 4: Combine with Sauce

Pour in your marinara sauce and stir until heated through. The sauce is generous here because the pasta absorbs a lot of it during baking, leaving the dish luscious and moist and never dry.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

In a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish, mix the drained pasta with about three-quarters of your meat sauce. Spread this evenly, then drop dollops of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Pour the remaining meat sauce over that, then cover the dish with foil.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, crank up the oven to 400°F (205°C), and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Top Tip

After making this Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake Recipe numerous times, I’ve picked up some handy tweaks that help it shine every time. These have saved me from soggy pasta and dull flavor many a time.

Don’t overcook pasta: Cooking pasta just shy of al dente before baking is key to keeping that perfect texture.
Drain grease well: Removing excess fat from the beef avoids a greasy bake and keeps flavors focused.
Use fresh, block cheeses: Shredding your own mozzarella and Parmesan leads to better melting and flavor.
Cover during first bake: Helps everything meld together and stay moist before the final cheese-browning step.

How to Serve Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake Recipe

The image shows two side-by-side photos. The left side features a white bowl with speckles containing four ingredients arranged separately: shredded white cheese on the left, a small mound of finely grated pale yellow cheese at the top, a whole raw egg with a bright yellow yolk at the bottom, and a round white soft cheese on the right. The right side shows a white pan with cooked browned ground meat mixed with small diced translucent onions spread evenly inside. The pan has some browned spots on its inner edge. The background is a black marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always sprinkle fresh parsley on top—its bright color and mild herbaceous flavor provide a fresh contrast to the rich, cheesy pasta. Sometimes I add a little extra grated Parmesan right at the table, just because I’m a cheese enthusiast.

Side Dishes

Garlic bread with melted cheese is my go-to accompaniment here. The crunchy, buttery bread is perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce. A fresh salad with a tangy vinaigrette also balances the richness nicely if you want to lighten things up.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love assembling individual portions in small ramekins. It feels fancy and lets everyone have their own cheesy, bubbling bake right out of the oven. Adding fresh basil leaves or a drizzle of pesto on top makes it extra festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days. When I reheat, I usually cover it with a little foil to preserve moisture and prevent the top cheese from getting too hard.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I assemble the bake, cover it tightly with foil, and pop it in the freezer. When ready to bake, defrost it overnight in the fridge, add a bit more baking time covered, then uncover for that perfect bubbly finish.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave for the best texture. Cover it with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until warmed through, then uncover for a few minutes to refresh the cheesy crust.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other meats besides ground beef?

Absolutely! Ground pork, Italian sausage, or even a combination will work great, adding their own unique flavors."

Is it okay to use store-bought shredded cheese?

You can, but shredding cheese from a block really makes a difference in melt and taste, giving you a creamier, fresher finish.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble it and refrigerate for up to two days before baking, just add a bit more baking time to ensure it’s heated through.

How do I avoid a dry pasta bake?

Make sure not to skimp on the marinara sauce, as the pasta absorbs a lot during baking. Also, covering the dish for most of the bake helps keep moisture locked in.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s reliably delicious and simple enough to make on a weeknight yet impressive enough for guests. Once you try it, you’ll see why it quickly becomes a family favorite—cheesy, meaty, and satisfying. Can’t wait for you to make this and hear what you think!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way