Description
This Creamy Beef Mince Pasta Bake is a comforting dish featuring a blend of marinara and Alfredo sauces, seasoned ground beef, and a golden, stretchy cheese topping that combines to offer a delicious meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz Cellentani pasta: These curly spirals capture little pockets of sauce in every bite (penne, rotini or fusilli work great too)
- 1 teaspoon salt: For the pasta water – it makes a real difference in flavor
- 1 lb ground beef: Gives you that hearty, satisfying base (85/15 fat content hits the sweet spot for flavor)
- 1 medium onion, chopped: Adds that sweet aromatic foundation that balances the meat
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Because what good sauce doesn’t start with garlic?
- ½ teaspoon salt: Brings out all the natural flavors
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: For that subtle warmth in the background
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Adds a gentle smokiness and gorgeous color
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Sprinkle of this and suddenly your kitchen smells like an Italian restaurant
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes: Just enough for a hint of heat that won’t overwhelm
- 24 oz Rao’s Marinara Sauce: My go-to for rich tomato flavor without that acidic bite
- 15 oz Rao’s Alfredo Sauce: The secret to transforming this from basic to spectacular
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Creates that Instagram-worthy cheese pull
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: For that sharp, nutty finish that takes it up a notch
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley: Adds a pop of color and subtle herb flavor
Instructions
- Bring a big pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt to the water – your pasta will thank you.
- Toss in the cellentani pasta and cook it until it’s just al dente (check your package, but usually 8-9 minutes). Pro tip: Keep it slightly firmer than you’d normally eat it since it’ll continue cooking in the oven.
- Drain it well in a colander, give it a little shake to get rid of extra water, and set it aside.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a quick coat of cooking spray.
- Heat up a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and chopped onion, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
- While the meat browns, sprinkle in the salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook until you don’t see any pink in the beef and the onions look soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully drain off the extra grease, but leave just enough to keep everything moist.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic. Stir it constantly for about 30 seconds until you can really smell that gorgeous garlic aroma.
- Pour in both the marinara and Alfredo sauces, stirring until everything’s well combined with the meat.
- Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Spread the cooked pasta evenly in your prepared baking dish.
- Pour the warm, amazing meat sauce over the pasta, and gently fold it all together until every piece of pasta is coated.
- Use your spatula to smooth the top so it’s nice and even.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the entire surface – don’t leave any spots uncovered!
- Place your dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven.
- Bake it uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese completely melts and starts to get brown and bubbly around the edges.
- Optional: Switch to broil for the final 1-2 minutes, but watch it closely.
- Pull it out and immediately sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dried parsley while it’s still hot.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Nail the pasta texture: Cook your pasta 1-2 minutes less than the package says. Nobody likes mushy pasta.
- Cheese matters: If you have time, buy a block of mozzarella and grate it yourself for best melting results.
- Brown for flavor: Let your beef and onions get some good caramelization.
- Prep before you start: Makes the cooking process smoother.
- Be patient: That 5-minute rest after baking lets the sauce settle.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: pasta bake, creamy beef, 30 minute meal, family favorite, comfort food