Hearty Baked Pasta: A Comforting Minced Meat & Cheese Recipe

Crafting a deliciously satisfying baked pasta with minced meat demands creativity and passion.

Layers of flavor meld together in this comforting classic.

Succulent ground beef nestles between pasta sheets, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Melted cheese blankets each bite with creamy richness.

Fragrant herbs and robust seasonings dance through every forkful.

Simple ingredients combine to produce an extraordinary meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable morsel.

What’s Great About Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

• Craft a Crowd-Pleasing Feast: This baked pasta delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for feeding hungry families or hosting dinner gatherings.
• Customize with Confidence: Easily swap meats, adjust cheese varieties, or add vegetables to make the recipe uniquely yours without compromising the delicious core flavor profile.
• Master a Stress-Free Cooking Experience: Simple step-by-step instructions guarantee success for home cooks of all skill levels, transforming complex techniques into an approachable culinary adventure.
• Elevate Comfort Food Game: Transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dish that combines rich meat sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and melted cheese for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

What You Need For Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

• Penne Pasta, Fusilli Pasta: Essential pasta types that provide the hearty base for this baked dish.
• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Flavorful meat combination that creates a rich and satisfying protein layer.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melting cheeses that add creamy texture and savory depth to the baked pasta.

• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the meat sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Foundational ingredients that create a robust tomato base for the sauce.
• Fresh Basil, Oregano: Aromatic herbs that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Onions, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that build a flavor foundation for the meat sauce.
• Olive Oil: Cooking medium that helps sauté vegetables and develop flavors.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's taste.

How To Make Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Heat the oven to 375°F and grab a large baking dish for the delicious pasta creation.

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Boil salted water and cook penne and fusilli until they reach that ideal al dente texture, usually 8-10 minutes.

Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Toss in finely chopped onions and cook until they become translucent and wonderfully fragrant.

Step 4: Infuse with Garlic

Add minced garlic and let it dance in the pan for a minute, releasing its incredible aroma.

Step 5: Brown the Meats

Introduce ground beef and ground pork to the skillet. Break the meats into small, delectable crumbles, cooking until they’re completely browned.

Step 6: Splash of Wine

Pour red wine into the meat mixture, letting it simmer and reduce for a couple of minutes to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 7: Create the Sauce

• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Fresh chopped basil
• Dried oregano

Mix thoroughly to combine all the delicious elements.

Step 8: Season and Simmer

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper. Let the sauce bubble gently for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 9: First Pasta Layer

Spread half of the cooked pasta in the baking dish, creating a delightful base for the upcoming layers.

Step 10: Add First Cheese Layer

• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

Ensure a complete and mouth-watering cheese coverage.

Step 11: Final Layers

Add the remaining pasta, top with the rest of the meat sauce, and finish with a final lavish layer of mixed cheeses.

Step 12: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese turns golden and starts bubbling with excitement.

Step 13: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the pasta rest for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle and merge into a truly spectacular dish.

Smart Tricks For Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

• Swap ground beef and pork with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for a leaner or vegetarian version of this hearty pasta dish.
• Choose high-quality, aged parmesan cheese for a more intense and nutty flavor profile that elevates the overall taste.
• Enhance the sauce's depth by adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle complexity and warmth.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process, ensuring all components are ready when needed for smooth recipe execution.
• Allow pasta to cool slightly after baking to prevent burning and help cheese set, creating a more cohesive and enjoyable dining experience.

Fun Takes On Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

• Mediterranean Veggie Bake: Replace ground meats with roasted zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and spinach. Use feta cheese instead of mozzarella for a tangy Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Mexican Pasta Casserole: Swap beef and pork with seasoned ground turkey. Add jalapeños, cumin, chili powder, and top with pepper jack cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro for extra zest.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Edition: Substitute ground meats with shredded rotisserie chicken and sautéed wild mushrooms. Mix in cream cheese and use a blend of gruyère and parmesan for a rich, earthy flavor profile.
• Seafood Mediterranean Fusion: Replace meat with a mix of shrimp and crab meat.

What To Serve With Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

• Elevate Meat Sauce Richness: Pair this hearty baked pasta with a robust Chianti or Sangiovese red wine, matching the wine's depth and acidity with the meaty tomato sauce.
• Complement Cheese Layers: Serve a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's richness and provide a fresh, tangy contrast to the melted cheeses.
• Balance Comfort Food: Include a light side of roasted Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant to add nutritional balance and bring vibrant colors to the plate.
• Enhance Dining Experience: Offer a chilled Italian pilsner or crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio to cleanse the palate between bites and refresh the overall meal sensation.

Keeping Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Will maintain quality for up to 2 months.
• Microwave Reheating: Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through for even warming.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F, cover pasta with aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss, warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly, removing foil in the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese top.

Questions People Ask About Hearty Baked Pasta With Minced Meat And Cheese

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute penne and fusilli with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni, ziti, or shells that hold sauce well and can be easily layered.

• Is it necessary to use both ground beef and ground pork?

While using both meats adds depth of flavor, you can use only ground beef or ground turkey if preferred. The key is to choose meat with some fat content for better taste.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the pasta dish up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Hearty Baked Pasta with Minced Meat and Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 75-80 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rustic “hearty baked pasta with minced meat and cheese” delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens, blending robust flavors and traditional techniques. Melted cheese and savory meat create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 750 g / 1.65 lb ground beef
• 250 g / 8.8 oz ground pork

Cheese:

• 300 g / 10.5 oz mozzarella cheese
• 200 g / 7 oz parmesan cheese

Pasta and Sauce:

• 500 g / 1.1 lb penne pasta
• 250 g / 8.8 oz fusilli pasta
• 2 cans (400 g / 14 oz each) crushed tomatoes
• 30 ml / 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 60 ml / 1/4 cup red wine

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 large onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 30 ml / 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 15 g / 0.5 oz fresh basil leaves
• 15 g / 0.5 oz fresh oregano
• 10 g / 0.35 oz salt
• 5 g / 0.18 oz black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375°F (190°C) and select a spacious baking vessel for the pasta assembly.
2. Submerge penne and fusilli in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes, then thoroughly drain.
3. Warm olive oil in a expansive skillet over medium temperature, gently transforming onions until they become translucent and emit a delicate fragrance.
4. Introduce minced garlic, briefly sautéing to release its aromatic essence.
5. Integrate ground beef and pork into the skillet, methodically fragmenting the meat and cooking until completely caramelized and rich brown.
6. Deglaze the meat mixture with red wine, allowing liquid to concentrate and intensify for 2-3 minutes.
7. Incorporate crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, freshly chopped basil, and oregano, blending ingredients comprehensively to create a robust sauce.
8. Calibrate sauce with salt and black pepper, simmering for 15-20 minutes to develop complex flavor profiles.
9. Construct initial pasta foundation in baking dish, generously coating with meat sauce layer.
10. Distribute mozzarella and parmesan cheeses across the initial stratum, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
11. Complete the dish by adding remaining pasta, topping with residual meat sauce and a crowning cheese layer.
12. Transfer to preheated oven, baking 25-30 minutes until cheese transforms into golden, effervescent landscape.
13. Extract from oven, allowing 10 minutes resting period for flavor melding and structural stabilization before serving.

Notes

• Select pasta varieties with ridges or tubes to better capture and hold the rich meat sauce, enhancing overall flavor absorption.
• Opt for a mix of ground beef and pork to create a more complex, deeper meat flavor profile with balanced fat content.
• Consider using fresh herbs instead of dried for more vibrant and intense aromatic notes in the sauce.
• Experiment with gluten-free pasta and alternative cheeses to make the dish suitable for various dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 635
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg