Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, tossing with 1 teaspoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and sauté the onions until soft.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Drain off and discard any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and garlic powder. Cook the mixture until it starts to bubble and thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Spread the cooked pasta in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the beef and onion mixture over the pasta, and then top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are starting to brown.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Tips for Success
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- For a more intense flavor, use sharp cheddar cheese.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
Additional Tips and Variations
Feel free to customize this dish by adding ingredients like bell peppers, mushrooms, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
This dish is rich in protein from the beef and cheese, and offers a good source of carbohydrates from the pasta. It’s a hearty meal that provides a balanced mix of macronutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
Can I freeze leftovers? Absolutely! This dish freezes well. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
What can I serve with this dish? A simple green salad or garlic bread pairs perfectly with this bake.
Conclusion
We hope you love this Cheeseburger Pasta Bake as much as we do. It’s a fun twist on traditional pasta dishes and is sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear about your delicious results!
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, tossing with 1 teaspoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and sauté the onions until soft.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Drain off and discard any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and garlic powder. Cook the mixture until it starts to bubble and thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Spread the cooked pasta in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the beef and onion mixture over the pasta, and then top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are starting to brown.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Tips for Success
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- For a more intense flavor, use sharp cheddar cheese.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
Additional Tips and Variations
Feel free to customize this dish by adding ingredients like bell peppers, mushrooms, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
This dish is rich in protein from the beef and cheese, and offers a good source of carbohydrates from the pasta. It’s a hearty meal that provides a balanced mix of macronutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
Can I freeze leftovers? Absolutely! This dish freezes well. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
What can I serve with this dish? A simple green salad or garlic bread pairs perfectly with this bake.
Conclusion
We hope you love this Cheeseburger Pasta Bake as much as we do. It’s a fun twist on traditional pasta dishes and is sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear about your delicious results!
