Italian Pasta Bake

Name: Italian Pasta Bake
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells; 3 plum tomatoes, sliced; 3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese; 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

I love to make this dish whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that's missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.—Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Add to beef mixture and gently stir in tomatoes.
Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 489 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 702mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein.

Originally published as Cheese 'n' Pasta in a Pot in Church Supper 2010 Bookazine

Reviews

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Average Rating:

fhquilting

Jan 3, 2019

I used 1 # of 93% ground beef and 1 # Italian sausage Drain both meats.. Added small package of turkey pepperoni before baking. Very good!
travel6188

Nov 8, 2017

Good flavor but greasy. I used 85/15 ground beef so that may have been the reason.
shiberdiber

Oct 9, 2012

Very flavorful and easy to make. Makes 2 casseroles, making it easy to freeze one and save for later. I thought I had penne pasta, but didn't, so I ended up using medium shell pasta and it was still great!