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Tomato and beef pasta bake in a glass dish topped with melted cheese.
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Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake

This cheesy ground beef pasta bake is loaded with tender pasta, vegetables and ground beef in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with melted cheese, it's a hearty and comforting family dinner.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 599kcal
Author Slow The Cook Down

Ingredients

  • 17.5 ounces dried pasta (500g)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 16 ounces lean ground beef (450g)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4.5 ounces cream cheese (125g)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (790g)
  • 12 cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 2 ounces shredded cheese (55g)

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 360F / 180c.
  • Cook your pasta al dente, drain and set to one side.
    17.5 ounces dried pasta
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a skillet on a medium high heat.
    1 tablespoon oil
  • Add the chopped garlic, onions and green pepper and cook until the onion starts to soften (5 minutes).
    4 garlic cloves, 1 onion, 1 green bell pepper
  • Add in the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook through.
    16 ounces lean ground beef, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Once the beef is cooked, add the cream cheese, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine and bring to the boil. Take off the heat.
    4.5 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
  • Place the cooked pasta in a large oven proof casserole dish. Add the beef and tomato sauce and stir well to combine.
  • Top with the halved cherry tomatoes and shredded cheese.
    12 cherry tomatoes, 2 ounces shredded cheese
  • Bake for 30 minutes.

Notes

  • I used a 13.5 x 9.5 inch glass casserole dish for this recipe, and one like this will work well. 
  • Cook the pasta just to al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly undercooking it helps prevent it becoming too soft.
  • Drain excess fat from the beef if needed before adding the cream cheese and tomatoes, especially if you're using a higher-fat ground beef.
  • Let the pasta bake sit for 5 minutes before serving. This gives the sauce a chance to settle and makes it easier to portion.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 599kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 501mg | Potassium: 1068mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 955IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 5mg