Description
Cheesy pasta casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table, making mealtime a delightful experience for hungry little ones. Packed with melty cheese and simple ingredients, this family-friendly dish guarantees smiles and clean plates every single time.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed vegetables
Seasonings and Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Grab 3 cups of cooked pasta and measure out your 1 lb ground beef and 1 cup mixed vegetables. Set ingredients aside on your workspace.
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until tender. Drain completely and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat at 350F. Add ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking meat into small crumbles.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning over the beef. Stir thoroughly.
- Pour 2 cups tomato sauce into the skillet. Simmer beef mixture for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine pasta, beef mixture, and mixed vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Fold in 1 cup shredded cheese until evenly distributed.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer pasta mixture into the dish, spreading it smoothly.
- Scatter remaining 1 cup cheese across the top of the casserole, covering the surface completely.
- Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving. Slice into square portions.
Notes
- Choose smaller pasta shapes like rotini or penne that kids find fun and easy to eat.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or a plant-based crumble to make the dish lighter and more diet-friendly.
- Add extra hidden vegetables like finely chopped spinach or grated zucchini to boost nutrition without changing the flavor kids love.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so the cheese sets and makes cutting easier, creating perfect square servings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg