31 Best Baked Pasta Recipes with Ground Beef

Posted by admin on

~ These Baked Pasta Recipes with Ground Beef are practically the dictionary definition of family-pleasing, ultimate comfort food! From baked rigatoni to lasagna, spaghetti casseroles to baked ziti … and way beyond! Revel in a tried-and-true classic, or venture into one of the updated, unique variations. And be sure to check out all the handy “upgrade” tips at the end of this article, too! ~

Pinnable collage of 4 recipe photos with text overlay

There’s nothing like welcoming your family home to a comforting meal you know they’ll love. It just feels terrific to serve up some hugs on a plate, doesn’t it? And to see the smiling, happy faces around the table as everybody digs in (and asks for seconds!).

Good ol’ beefy pasta bakes are classics for a reason … because they pretty much guarantee those happy faces and second helpings.

Mmmmmm … perfectly al dente pasta draped in a rich meat sauce with flavorful Italian seasoning and melty cheese. Yes. Everyone is smiling! And making lots of those mmmmmmm sounds.

Bonus for you, busy cook?

Usually, this type of pasta casserole can be prepped ahead – often even frozen for later. Easy weeknight dinner options that’ll make your hectic life a little bit less stressful, a little bit more blissful.

Are You Surprised?

Now, I know that you guys might be surprised to find beefy, cheesy pasta bakes highlighted here, on a recipe blog where we normally focus on healthy recipes. I hear ya on that … but I also know that sometimes this is the kind of food we all just relentlessly crave.

But all is not lost, friends.

You might also be surprised how many of the recipes in my list below offer optional tweaks, tips, and “upgrades” for those of us who want to revel in all the comfort-food vibes, but keep things a little lighter and healthier, too!

Many of these recipes suggest optional ways to leverage leaner meats or lower-fat dairy, strategies for working in extra veggies and whole grain pastas, or tips for making the meal gluten free and even dairy free if needed.

This type of comfort food really can have a place in today’s more modern, nutrition-focused meals.

Pssssst … Don’t miss all my tips at the end of this article!

So drool your way through this hand-picked list of bloggers’ very best baked pasta recipes with ground beef … and feel good knowing that you can make these comforting meals straight up, or use some handy tweaks to modify them for your own healthy eating goals.

And get ready for all those happy, smiling faces around the dinner table tonight!

Baked Pasta Recipes with Ground Beef

1

Simple Ground Beef Casserole with Pasta

Photo Credit: www.saltandlavender.com

With nearly a perfect 5-star rating on well over 100 reviews, this is not to be missed! Extra lean ground beef helps to keep fat in check. And cheddar is a tasty change from the more typical trio of mozzarella, ricotta and parmesan. Super flexible so you can adapt it to what's in your pantry, and even give it a Tex-Mex twist!

2

Easy Baked Mostaccioli

A family-friendly, budget-friendly dish featuring tube-shaped noodles surrounded by meaty pasta sauce and melty cheese. With just a few common staples, it's an easy dinner on busy weeknights!

3

Easy Pizza Casserole

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

Stretchy cheese, al dente pasta, and your favorite pizza toppings make this pasta bake recipe a guaranteed winner! You can easily switch it up with your own favorite pizza toppings. Even better? It reheats well and can also be baked straight from frozen. And don't miss the tips for making it healthier, like doubling the veggies and choosing turkey pepperoni and whole wheat pasta.

4

Italian Baked Pasta

Photo Credit: www.christinascucina.com

An authentic recipe! Tiny meatballs (or optional meat sauce) and chunks of mozzarella cheese combine with a rich tomato sauce in this delicious, oven-baked meal. With lots of tips to make sure that yours turns out just as it would if you were actually in Italy!

5

Cheeseburger Casserole

Photo Credit: www.dinneratthezoo.com

Oh wow ... the indulgence here! If you love hamburgers, you’ve gotta try this pasta bake, featuring all the great flavors of a loaded bacon cheeseburger, but with the addition of pasta! Choose toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, pickles and avocado to add some veggies and pump up the already big, bold flavors!

6

Cheesy Beef & Noodle Casserole

Photo Credit: herbsandflour.com

Twirly, wavy egg noodles are the perfect shape to capture crumbles of ground beef and bits of a few mixed veggies, plus a drape of flavorful cheese! Use fresh or frozen veggies to easily adapt this baked pasta to what you happen to have on hand.

7

Homemade Beefaroni

Photo Credit: www.thetravelpalate.com

This is a classic recipe almost like Chef Boyardee ... but made with better-for-you ingredients you can actually pronounce! As an alternative to a baked pasta recipe, there are also directions to make this on the stovetop with a quick pop under the broiler to finish. Delicious either way!

8

Rich and Hearty Southwest Style Cowboy Pasta Casserole

Photo Credit: www.garlicandzest.com

Combining satisfying ground beef, country sausage, and perfectly cooked pasta ... with big Southwestern flavors (and nutrition!) from green chiles, canned white beans, tomatoes, and vibrant greens. So hearty ... such pure comfort food. Even more comforting? You can assemble the casserole earlier in the day or the day before, so dinnertime is stress-free!

9

Baked Rigatoni Pasta

Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com

What I thought you'd all love about this recipe is that it specifies how you can prepare it ahead for busy nights throughout the week – simply refrigerate this pasta bake until you’re ready to cook and serve. Freezing tips, too. So easy! Plus, a suggestion for adding in some healthy veggies to round out your casserole and bump up the nutrition factor!

10

Taco Macaroni and Beef Bake

Photo Credit: ericasrecipes.com

This kid-approved, super-simple recipe features a creamy taco ground beef layer with noodles, topped with salsa and cheese. It'll definitely help you get a big dinner on the table easily and affordably! The ground beef mixture can even be made a day in advance for busy weeknights. And definitely check out the tips for selecting lighter meat and cream cheese options to keep this on the healthier side! Alternately, if you're looking for a gluten-free recipe, check out the version from Small Farm Big Life.

11

Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Photo Credit: amandascookin.com

Sautéed ground beef, mushrooms, and onions in a gravy-like, creamy sauce atop a bed of egg noodles ... sound familiar? This hearty casserole has all the same components as classic beef stroganoff, but in a family-style pasta bake. It can conveniently be assembled up to 1 day ahead and reheats great from leftovers, too! For a lightened-up version, take a peek at this Ground Beef Stroganoff (which also cleverly uses the Instant Pot instead of your oven).

12

Gnocchi Bake with Meat Sauce and Mozzarella

Photo Credit: vikalinka.com

Are you thinking, "HEY NOW ... gnocchi is not actually pasta!"?!? Yeah, you're right – good catch! But most people use it in the same ways they use pasta. And just look at that pan of gorgeously baked beefy, cheesy joy ... how could I leave this one out of my list?!?

13

Johnny Marzetti

As an Ohio girl, I was thrilled to find this recipe idea to share with all of you – from another Ohio girl who's eaten this vintage, iconic dish lots of times over the years. A great name for a great recipe ... and be sure to read about the interesting history on this one!

14

Pasta Al Forno with Ground Beef and Sausage

Photo Credit: www.trendgredient.com

This classic baked pasta recipe features a luscious meat sauce and tender rigatoni. A surprising dash of allspice and balsamic vinegar amp up the flavor of the delectable meat sauce. The post includes helpful tips for making the recipe low-fat, low-carb, or gluten-free, too!

15

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Photo Credit: numstheword.com

If you love Mexican food ... and also adore food that freezes great and reheats well for leftovers, then try this simple yet delicious pasta bake! Full of Mexican flavors, especially if you top it off with goodies like diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, olives, or additional salsa.

Baked Spaghetti Recipes Featuring Ground Beef

Specifically looking for a pasta bake that uses spaghetti noodles? You've got some delicious options!

16

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole

This recipe has four layers of goodness that make it a yummy stand-out! It's also a great recipe for adding "hidden veggies." Sauté some onions, green bell pepper, mushrooms, or even finely diced carrots with the ground beef to up the nutrition in this dish. Freezes nicely in an airtight container for up to 3 months, too!

17

Baked Spaghetti Pie Casserole

Photo Credit: www.tastesoflizzyt.com

In this ingenious, old-fashioned recipe, spaghetti actually forms the pie's "crust" and is then topped with plenty of cheesy, saucy, melty joy. An ideal way to use up leftover spaghetti or beef sauce! Switch up the meats for a healthier profile, and try adding some veggies like zucchini, peppers, or grated carrot.

18

Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

Photo Credit: www.inthekidskitchen.com

The addition of sun-dried tomatoes adds a unique depth of flavor to the sauce in this baked pasta. And with just 7 ingredients, this easy recipe will be prepped and in the oven in a flash!

19

Healthy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Photo Credit: foodmeanderings.com

This clever version has all the creaminess of a "typical" million dollar casserole, but it's healthier and lower in calories! It's also really simple to make. A scrumptious way to enjoy spaghetti in a different form ... and also a perfect recipe for using up leftover spaghetti noodles!

Baked Lasagna Recipes

No list of ground beef pasta bake recipes would be complete without a few good lasagnas! Whether you like your lasagna with ricotta or without ... or maybe a little on the unique side ... there's sure to be one here that you'll love!

20

Lasagna (Traditional Italian Recipe with Bechamel and No Ricotta)

Photo Credit: www.christinascucina.com

The recipe's author says, "This lasagna recipe will be the last one you’ll ever use. My Italian family’s recipe can now be yours; it’s classic, simple, and absolutely delicious!" A must-try!

21

Lightened Up Lasagna

Photo Credit: dashofherbs.com

Okay ... okay ... this baked "pasta" doesn't technically have any actual pasta in it, but its creator swears, "Does it affect the taste at all? Nope! I promise you that you won’t even notice that you are eating zucchini. And this is husband approved!" Lean ground beef and a light hand with the cheeses improve the nutritional profile, too ... yet there's still so much cheesy, creamy, gooey goodness! (For another health-ified option, try this Easy, Healthy Gluten Free Lasagna that adds fiber-rich canned beans and leverages just a little aged cheddar for big flavor without too much added fat.)

22

Nduja, 3 Cheese & Kale Lasagne

Photo Credit: knifeandsoul.com

Adding a little bit of spicy nduja sausage gives this unique lasagna a kick. And kale gives it both a boost of nutrition and also a textural twist. All tucked underneath that alluringly golden brown, cheesy topping! It's a great meal prep dish if you're planning ahead for a busy week, too!

23

Lazy Lasagna Casserole

A no-fuss way to satisfy your craving for lasagna. Bake it after assembling, or freeze it for a no-brainer meal on a busy day! And be sure to check out the health-ification tips, like using whole grain pasta and part-skim cheeses.

24

Lasagna Roll Ups

Photo Credit: www.homemadeinterest.com

These easy roll-ups are a simple way to make classic lasagna. This recipe cleverly uses cottage cheese (instead of whole-milk ricotta), which helps to lighten up the dish's fat and calorie count. But yeah ... look at all that gooey cheese you're still getting! This is a great make ahead, freezer-friendly recipe that's easily divided into individual portions for weekly meal prep.

25

Lasagna For Two (Loaf Pan Lasagna)

Photo Credit: www.chocolatemoosey.com

Love lasagna ... but have a small family, and hate leftovers? This is baked in a loaf pan, so it makes only 4 slices. Lots of great make-ahead and freezing tips, too!

26

Instant Pot (and Broiler) "Baked" Lasagna

Photo Credit: amandascookin.com

Thinking a little outside the box on this one, guys! Let your Instant Pot do most of the "baking" step for you ... and then fire up the oven for a little brown-and-bubbly treatment under the broiler.

Baked Ziti Recipes

Baked ziti is a family weeknight staple, but there are so many ways to change it up. Try one of these variations to discover a new favorite dinner tonight!

27

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe (Quick and Traditional)

Photo Credit: vikalinka.com

This beautifully simple version skips the ricotta common in many baked ziti recipes, opting instead for fresh mozzarella to provide a similar creaminess. Take it to next-level perfection with an optional topping of fresh cherry tomatoes, tossed with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese!

28

Italian Noodle Casserole

Photo Credit: cupcakesandkalechips.com

This pasta bake recipe showcases ziti pasta (or any similar pasta shape), mixed with lots of meat and veggies. The creaminess of the pasta layer has a nice, smooth richness against the tomato sauce and beef. But what I really love here are all the easy, healthy little tweaks and upgrades that keep things sensible but still satisfying and comforting. Gluten-free options, too. Such a smart recipe!

29

Baked Ziti with Ricotta

Photo Credit: www.acedarspoon.com

Loaded with four (yes ... 4!) types of cheese, but not too heavy thanks to leaner cottage cheese and part-skim ricotta (although the post suggests you can leave out some if you don't want quite so much cheesiness). This ziti casserole can be made in advance and also freezes well. And you can add in veggies to bulk it up and pump the nutrition. Lots of options here!

30

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Baked Ziti

Photo Credit: www.theroastedroot.net

This incredibly filling meal is a great option for people who are sensitive to gluten and dairy. It features a tomato-based meat sauce, plus a creamy, dairy-free cauliflower sauce for the topping. There are plenty of variations you can try, like using Cashew Ricotta Cheese instead of the Creamy Cauliflower Sauce ... or even swapping certain ingredients to turn this right back into a more traditional recipe (if you're not gluten-free or dairy-free).

31

Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Photo Credit: shesnotcookin.com

Instead of stirring your cooked, crumbled ground beef throughout your pasta bake, how about studding your casserole with yummy meatballs? This recipe includes directions for making your own homemade meatballs, but note that she mentions she likes to choose leaner meats. Alternately, she suggests that you can use store-bought, fresh or frozen meatballs (which can be a great time-savings and also allow you to choose leaner, healthier options for this ziti pasta casserole).

Tips and Tricks for “Upgrading” Your Ground Beef Pasta Bakes

Ok … so let’s talk about those “upgrades” I keep mentioning.

Are you looking for ways to take any of your easy pasta recipes up a notch, and to make your comfort-food casseroles a little bit healthier?

Awesome! You know I’m a big, big fan of that!

I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the nutrition profile of whatever I’m cooking. And I’ve got some go-to strategies for these type of pasta casserole recipes.

Sure, lots of the recipes above offer healthier ingredient upgrades, either on their recipe cards, or in the text of the accompanying article. But what if your favorite recipe doesn’t include suggestions?

I can help!

First, a little disclaimer: all of the authors who’ve worked hard to test and perfect the dishes in the recipe showcase above have their own reasons for offering (or not offering) lighter tweaks and ingredient alternatives. Changing up their tried-and-true recipes means that a recipe might turn out a bit differently. So, especially if the author doesn’t specify options and alternatives, it’s sometimes best to make the recipe exactly as written the first time you try it, saving your personal tweaks for the next time around, so you know how the dish is meant to turn out in its original form.

Having said that, here are some strategies you can try:

#1 Opt for Healthier Pasta Noodles.

To boost fiber and nutrients, reach for a whole grain or whole wheat pasta, if you can find one that works in your recipe.

Admittedly, it can be hard to find good, whole grain versions of every pasta shape, especially lasagna and short pasta shapes like elbows. But these days, most grocery stores carry at least a whole grain spaghetti brand and maybe a penne, ziti or rotini option.

Closeup of uncooked, ridged whole wheat penne pasta noodles.

Alternately, grab a gluten-free pasta if you’re following a gluten-free diet. As a bonus, many brands of gluten-free pasta use ingredients like beans or lentils, which also boost fiber, protein and nutrition, so there’s a lot to love there!

Remember, though, that both whole grain and also gluten-free pastas usually have a different cook time, compared to “regular” pasta, so be sure to check the package instructions to ensure you get that perfect al dente.

#2 Choose Leaner Meats.

Reach for extra lean ground beef, and try subbing Italian turkey sausage in a recipe that calls for traditional ground pork sausage. We use Italian turkey sausage extensively in our own recipes (like in our Stuffed Pepper Casserole, and our Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Spinach), and it works extremely well as an alternative to fattier pork sausage.

You can, of course, also try substituting ground turkey (we’re talking “plain” turkey here … not sausage) for the ground beef in a recipe, although you’ll be sacrificing true “beefy” flavor. Also, be aware that some ground turkey blends are actually LESS lean than very lean ground beef, so it’s important to check the nutrition panel to be sure.

#3 Add in Some Veggies.

This suggestion is definitely more art than science. Exactly which veggies will work – and how much of them to use – can vary massively depending on your recipe.

Many of the featured recipes above suggest veggies that can be used for that specific dish. But if you’re going it alone on this, start by choosing vegetables you know your family likes.

Overhead of large skillet on stove with cooked onions and ground beef with wooden spoon stirring.

Another good option is to sauté some diced onions and finely chopped mushrooms with the ground meat. Mushrooms are full of umami flavor, and the texture of cooked mushrooms often goes practically unnoticed when combined with crumbled ground beef.

#4 Choose Lower Fat Dairy.

You can shave a lot of unwanted calories, fat, and saturated fat by selecting a reduced-fat dairy product – especially in baked pastas that include a large amount of milk or cheeses. (A perfect example is our 5-Ingredient Pizza Pasta Bake.)

I generally don’t recommend fat-free cheeses, since those often hugely compromise melt-ability and introduce some “weird” ingredients. But cheeses made with reduced-fat milk can be a fantastic middle ground.

Let’s say a recipe calls for heavy cream or whole milk. Scaling all the way back to fat-free (skim) milk might really change the creamy, luscious texture … but downshifting to half-and-half or 2% milk could be a happy compromise for you.

#5 Use a Little Less Cheese.

Another option for approaching full-fat cheese and dairy is simply to use a bit less of it.

Hand sprinkling shredded mozzarella cheese on casserole before baking.

I’m not saying you have to go drastic here. If you’re stealthy, your whole family might be surprised that they don’t even notice much difference!

An example? Maybe your recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. Even scaling back to just 1 3/4 cups (or maybe 1 1/2 cups if you’re daring) will cut the calories and fat, and might be surprisingly undetectable. Play around to find the sweet spot in your favorite recipes!

#6 Serve It Up Right!

I know I mentioned that your whole family is gonna want seconds of these recipes. (Because … YUM!)

But, don’t forget to keep portion sizes in check if your pasta bake is particularly decadent.

Even a “naughty” main course can work out pretty well if the portion size is reasonable and you serve it along with healthy side dishes. Maybe go with a simple green salad, and some gorgeous roasted vegetables, plus juicy and refreshing watermelon wedges for dessert.

Smart portion sizes and well-chosen sides can go a long way toward making room at the table for more indulgent main courses.

Pasta Casseroles Will Never Be the Same!

Alrighty! You’re armed and ready with terrific recipe suggestions … plus ideas on how to customize them and make them your very own.

Pinnable collage with photos of 4 of the recipes, with centered overlay text

The only thing left to do is pick which great dish to start with. (Decisions … decisions …) Then grab that baking dish and get cookin’!

Your family says “thank you” BTW. And I think they just might be smiling already! 😉

The post 31 Best Baked Pasta Recipes with Ground Beef appeared first on Two Healthy Kitchens.


Share this post



← Older Post Newer Post →