Ground Meat and Pasta Casserole
Ground meat and pasta casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for family dinners or potluck parties. This casserole combines the flavors of ground meat, pasta, and cheese to create a satisfying and comforting meal. It is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound ground beef or turkey
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
– 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups cooked pasta (such as penne or macaroni)
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together.
5. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the cooked pasta evenly on the bottom.
6. Pour half of the meat sauce over the pasta, spreading it out evenly.
7. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the meat sauce.
8. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and cheeses.
9. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
11. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
This ground meat and pasta casserole recipe serves approximately 6 people and takes around 1 hour to prepare and cook. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course with a side salad or as a filling for sandwiches or tortilla wraps. Enjoy the comforting flavors and textures of this delicious casserole!