Hey, food squad! 🍕🍝 Ready for the Best Italian Bake ever?
This dish is like a big, cheesy, Italian hug in a casserole dish
It’s got layers of deliciousness with pasta, meat, and loads of cheese. Perfect for when you want something super tasty and easy to make. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups cooked pasta (like penne or ziti)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook until the onion is soft.
Add the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Mix the cheese: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Assemble the bake: Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Add a layer of cooked pasta, then spoon on dollops of the ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat the layers until you’ve used everything, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
Top it off: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake it: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
