Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole with Crispy Topping

A perfect, simple dinner recipe—this Pasta Bake is a family favorite and very easy to prepare.

Ground Beef Pasta Bake:

I always appreciate a straightforward weeknight meal, especially one the whole family will eat. This pasta bake fits the bill—simple, satisfying, and adaptable.

I like to serve it with a crisp salad, garlic green beans, and warm homemade garlic bread.

How to make Pasta Bake:

Step one: Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step two: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and return it to the pot over low heat. Add the cream cheese and stir constantly until it melts and coats the noodles. Remove from heat. For best texture, take the pasta off the stove just before it’s fully al dente so it won’t overcook in the oven.

Step three: In a skillet, cook and crumble 1 pound of ground beef until browned; drain excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and heat through.

Step four: Combine the sauce and beef with the cream cheese-coated pasta, then stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.

Step five: Mix everything thoroughly and transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella on top, add the dried basil, and bake 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the dish is heated through.

How to freeze pasta bake:

If you plan to freeze the meal, bake it in a freezer-safe dish or transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container. Let the pasta bake cool completely before covering tightly with foil or a lid. Freeze for up to three months.

How to defrost and reheat:

Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Cover and bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through.

More Pasta Recipes:

Here are a few other family-friendly pasta recipes you might enjoy.

Bacon Ranch Pasta
Caesar Pasta Salad
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Cheesy Taco Pasta
Butter Parmesan Pasta

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below—I love hearing from readers. Share your photos with the hashtag #TDOARH to show what you made.

Pasta Bake

A simple, comforting pasta bake that’s perfect for busy nights.

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Total: 50 mins

Servings: 12 servings

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Ingredients

16 oz pasta
6 oz cream cheese
1 pound ground beef
32 oz marinara sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1 teaspoon basil (dried)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and return to the pot over low heat. Add cream cheese and stir until melted and the pasta is coated. Remove from heat.
Cook and crumble the ground beef, drain fat, then stir in the marinara sauce and heat through.
Combine the sauce and beef with the pasta and add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix well.
Transfer to the prepared casserole dish, top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella, sprinkle with basil, and bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and warmed through.

Notes

Remove the pasta from boiling water just before it’s fully tender so it finishes cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.

How to freeze pasta bake:

Allow the baked pasta to cool completely before covering and freezing in a freezer-safe dish for up to three months.

How to defrost and reheat:

Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Cover and bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, until heated through.

Nutrition

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