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Baked Pasta with Ground Beef

Baked Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 590
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rigatoni
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • Fresh basil leaves, for serving

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, then stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese until melted.
  4. Fold cooked pasta into the sauce, then transfer to a 9x13 baking dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  6. Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.

Notes

The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so keeping it slightly underdone at the boil stage prevents mushiness. Soften the cream cheese ahead of time for a silky sauce, and give the bake a short rest before serving so the slices hold their shape.