Save on Pinterest
Menu
Mag cover Overlay image

Italian Pasta Bake

15 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 25 min.

Makes

8 servings

I love to make this pasta bake 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
Next Recipe
Recommended
Fold Over Tortilla Bake Exps Mtbz18 5912 B03 13 10b 336 Tried-and-True 13×9 Recipes
Read Next
How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake
How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake
Make-Ahead Spicy Olive Pasta Play icon
Make-Ahead Spicy Olive Pasta
Easy Beef-Stuffed Shells Play icon
Easy Beef-Stuffed Shells

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

  1. 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.
  2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Add to beef mixture and gently stir in sliced plum tomatoes.
  3. Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

Pasta Bake Tips

Can I use uncooked pasta in this bake?

We don't recommend using uncooked pasta because it can soak up too much liquid, resulting in a dry casserole.

Should I cover pasta when baking?

The sauce and tomatoes in this Italian recipe provide enough moisture to bake it uncovered. Some pasta bake recipes may require covering to retain adequate moisture and prevent drying. It’s always best to follow the method in the recipe.

Can I prep and freeze this recipe?

Yes, unbaked Italian pasta bake freezes very well! Just cover tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with foil. When ready to bake, remove from the freezer 24 hours ahead of time and place in the refrigerator. Bring to room temp—and remove plastic wrap and foil—before baking. Follow these freezing tips to ensure your pasta bake comes out fresh!

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.

More from Taste of Home

Make-Ahead Spicy Olive Pasta
Make-Ahead Spicy Olive Pasta
Bacon-Colby Lasagna
Bacon-Colby Lasagna
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Easy Beef-Stuffed Shells
Easy Beef-Stuffed Shells
Beef and Spinach Lasagna
Beef and Spinach Lasagna
Easy Ziti Bake
Easy Ziti Bake
Italian Stuffed Shells
Italian Stuffed Shells
Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti
Mozzarella Baked Spaghetti
Mozzarella Baked Spaghetti
Favorite Baked Spaghetti
Favorite Baked Spaghetti
Nikki’s Perfect Pastitsio
Nikki’s Perfect Pastitsio
No-Fuss Lasagna
No-Fuss Lasagna
Loaded Spaghetti Bake
Loaded Spaghetti Bake
Argentine Lasagna
Argentine Lasagna
Makeover Traditional Lasagna
Makeover Traditional Lasagna
Traditional Lasagna
Traditional Lasagna
Lasagna with White Sauce
Lasagna with White Sauce
Creamy Beef Lasagna
Creamy Beef Lasagna
Lasagna Deliziosa
Lasagna Deliziosa
Chili Mac Casserole
Chili Mac Casserole