Name: Tomato Basil Beef Pasta Bake
Ingredients: Ground Beef: (1.5 lbs) The star of the show, providing rich, savory flavor and hearty protein. Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option, or use regular ground beef for extra richness.; Pasta: (1 lb) Penne pasta is recommended for its ridges that hold sauce beautifully, but you can also use ziti, rigatoni, or other similar pasta shapes.; Canned Diced Tomatoes: (28 oz) Forms the base of our flavorful tomato sauce. Opt for good quality diced tomatoes for the best taste. You can also use crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce.; Tomato Paste: (6 oz can) Adds concentrated tomato flavor and richness to the sauce. A small amount goes a long way in deepening the flavor profile.; Fresh Basil: (1 cup, packed) Provides a bright, aromatic, and slightly sweet herbal note that complements the tomatoes and beef perfectly. Fresh basil is key for the best flavor.; Onion: (1 large, diced) Forms the aromatic foundation of the sauce, adding sweetness and depth of flavor as it cooks.; Garlic: (4 cloves, minced) Essential for adding a pungent, savory kick that enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred.; Dried Oregano: (1 teaspoon) Adds a warm, slightly peppery and earthy flavor that is classic in Italian-inspired dishes and complements the basil and tomato.; Dried Thyme: (1 teaspoon) Provides a subtle, earthy, and slightly minty flavor that adds complexity to the sauce without overpowering the other herbs.; Red Pepper Flakes: (½ teaspoon, optional) Adds a touch of heat and spice to the dish. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.; Beef Broth: (½ cup) Adds moisture to the sauce and helps to deglaze the pan, incorporating all those delicious browned bits of flavor.; Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons) Used for sautéing the vegetables and ground beef, adding a fruity and healthy fat to the dish.; Mozzarella Cheese: (2 cups, shredded) Provides a melty, gooey, and cheesy topping that is essential for a pasta bake. Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting.; Parmesan Cheese: (½ cup, grated) Adds a salty, nutty, and umami-rich flavor that complements the mozzarella and adds depth to the cheesy topping.; Salt: (To taste) Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dish.; Black Pepper: (To taste) Adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor, balancing the other seasonings.

Ingredients

Ground Beef: (1.5 lbs) The star of the show, providing rich, savory flavor and hearty protein. Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option, or use regular ground beef for extra richness.
Pasta: (1 lb) Penne pasta is recommended for its ridges that hold sauce beautifully, but you can also use ziti, rigatoni, or other similar pasta shapes.
Canned Diced Tomatoes: (28 oz) Forms the base of our flavorful tomato sauce. Opt for good quality diced tomatoes for the best taste. You can also use crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce.
Tomato Paste: (6 oz can) Adds concentrated tomato flavor and richness to the sauce. A small amount goes a long way in deepening the flavor profile.
Fresh Basil: (1 cup, packed) Provides a bright, aromatic, and slightly sweet herbal note that complements the tomatoes and beef perfectly. Fresh basil is key for the best flavor.
Onion: (1 large, diced) Forms the aromatic foundation of the sauce, adding sweetness and depth of flavor as it cooks.
Garlic: (4 cloves, minced) Essential for adding a pungent, savory kick that enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred.
Dried Oregano: (1 teaspoon) Adds a warm, slightly peppery and earthy flavor that is classic in Italian-inspired dishes and complements the basil and tomato.
Dried Thyme: (1 teaspoon) Provides a subtle, earthy, and slightly minty flavor that adds complexity to the sauce without overpowering the other herbs.
Red Pepper Flakes: (½ teaspoon, optional) Adds a touch of heat and spice to the dish. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.
Beef Broth: (½ cup) Adds moisture to the sauce and helps to deglaze the pan, incorporating all those delicious browned bits of flavor.
Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons) Used for sautéing the vegetables and ground beef, adding a fruity and healthy fat to the dish.
Mozzarella Cheese: (2 cups, shredded) Provides a melty, gooey, and cheesy topping that is essential for a pasta bake. Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting.
Parmesan Cheese: (½ cup, grated) Adds a salty, nutty, and umami-rich flavor that complements the mozzarella and adds depth to the cheesy topping.
Salt: (To taste) Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dish.
Black Pepper: (To taste) Adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor, balancing the other seasonings.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Pasta: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the pasta bake inside, promoting even cooking and melting of the cheese. While the oven preheats, cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente. “Al dente” means “to the tooth” in Italian, and it refers to pasta that is cooked through but still firm to the bite. This is important for pasta bakes as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven and you don’t want it to become mushy. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside. Rinsing the pasta after draining is generally not recommended for baked pasta dishes as the starch on the surface helps the sauce adhere better.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering (but not smoking), add the diced onion and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Next, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter quickly. Stir constantly during this step to prevent burning. Cooking the onion and garlic first in olive oil is crucial as it releases their aromatic compounds, building a flavorful base for the entire sauce.
Brown the Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon or spatula and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. As the beef cooks, continue to break it up into smaller pieces. Drain off any excess grease. Browning the beef is a critical step as it develops rich, savory flavors through the Maillard reaction. Draining excess grease will prevent the final dish from being too oily.
Build the Tomato Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Cooking the tomato paste intensifies its flavor and removes some of its raw acidity, resulting in a richer, sweeter sauce. Next, pour in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet – these bits are packed with flavor!
Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for a richer flavor. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together and deepen, creating a more complex and delicious sauce. The sauce will also thicken slightly as it simmers. Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking.
Incorporate Pasta and Basil: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta and fresh basil. Ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. The heat from the sauce will gently wilt the basil, releasing its fragrant aroma. At this stage, taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the pasta mixture in the skillet. Then, top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Distributing the cheese in layers ensures that there is cheese throughout the bake and a generous, melty topping.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the pasta bake and remove it when the cheese is perfectly melted and golden brown.
Rest and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the pasta bake to set slightly, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too watery. Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves, if desired, for a fresh and vibrant touch. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 550
Fat: 25g
Protein: 35g