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Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake with Cream Sauce

A close-up of a generous serving of Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake with Cream Sauce, featuring baked ziti pasta and a browned cheese topping.
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A hearty, one-dish casserole featuring ground beef, pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce, baked until the top is golden and bubbly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or ziti)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and add the cooked pasta to the beef mixture. Stir to combine.
  5. Prepare the cream sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  6. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg and 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Pour the cream sauce over the beef and pasta mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  9. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, the mozzarella cheese, and the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this cheese mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, substitute 1 cup of the milk with heavy cream.
  • If the sauce seems too thick before baking, add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra milk.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or ground Italian sausage for the ground beef.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/cheesy-beef-pasta-bake-with-cream-sauce/