Dinner

Comforting Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe

ByElla Hart April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

Introduction

This comforting ground beef pasta bake is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy dinner. With tender fusilli pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted mozzarella, it’s a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

A clear round glass dish holds a baked pasta dish with three visible layers: the bottom layer is twisted rotini pasta in bright orange-red tomato sauce, the middle layer is ground meat mixed with sauce showing a rich brown color, and the top layer is melted white cheese sprinkled with thin green basil strips. A portion is missing, showing the layered inside. The dish sits on a wrinkled green cloth on a white marbled surface, with a blurred glass of lemon and mint water and a wooden bowl of sauce in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

14 oz fusilli pasta
1 lb ground beef
26 oz pasta sauce (preferably Rao’s Homemade)
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tsp Italian seasoning
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
3/4 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
8 oz mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
Fresh basil, torn into small pieces
Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Combine the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Shred the mozzarella cheese and set it aside.
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli and cook for 2-3 minutes less than the package directions indicate. Drain the pasta without rinsing and set aside.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Reduce heat to medium, then stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, and the prepared spice mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until hot and combined.
Step 4: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and meat sauce gently until the pasta is evenly coated. Spread into an even layer, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned at the edges. Check around 20 minutes to ensure it’s perfectly melted and golden.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Just before serving, scatter torn fresh basil over the top and finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Tips & Variations

Use freshly shredded mozzarella for creamier melting and better texture.
If you like a little heat, add extra red pepper flakes to taste.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
For extra vegetables, stir in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach with the meat sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use a microwave for a quicker option. Add a splash of water before reheating to keep the pasta moist.

How to Serve

The image shows a clear glass round baking dish filled with baked rotini pasta layered with a red tomato sauce mixed with browned ground meat, topped with melted white cheese that has some browned spots and shredded green basil leaves scattered on top. A section is missing, revealing the orange pasta spirals underneath the sauce and cheese, with a textured surface from the meat and sauce mix visible in the cut. The dish sits on a pale green cloth with a white marbled background, and in the blurred background, there is a wooden bowl of creamy dip and a glass of water with lemon slices and green leaves. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any sturdy pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini works well in this bake.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the pasta bake and cover it, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold from the fridge.