This cozy Cheesy Beef & Pasta Bake is packed with tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s an easy family-style casserole that comes together with simple pantry ingredients and bakes until golden and bubbling.

Ingredients

For the pasta and beef

  • 12 oz (340 g) medium shell pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt

For the creamy sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the topping

  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar or cheddar-mozzarella blend
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  4. Cook the pasta until just slightly firm according to the package directions.
  5. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  7. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small crumbles.
  8. Add the diced onion and cook until softened.
  9. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  10. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked.
  11. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  12. Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl temporarily.
  13. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  14. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  15. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.
  16. Cook for several minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
  17. Add the cream cheese and stir until completely smooth.
  18. Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  19. Add 1 cup cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella.
  20. Stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
  21. Return the cooked beef to the skillet.
  22. Add the drained pasta and gently toss everything together.
  23. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  24. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.
  25. Finish with Parmesan.
  26. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbling.
  27. For a more golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end while watching carefully.
  28. Let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.
  29. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
  30. Serve warm.

Helpful Tips

Don’t overcook the pasta. Since it continues cooking in the oven, slightly undercooked pasta gives the best texture.

Use freshly shredded cheese when possible. It generally melts more smoothly than some pre-shredded varieties.

Make it extra flavorful with a little Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper, or smoked paprika.

Add vegetables such as diced bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, peas, or finely chopped zucchini if you’d like more variety.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container. USDA guidance recommends using cooked leftovers within 3–4 days when properly refrigerated. Reheat casseroles until they reach 165°F (74°C) internally. (USDA Ask FSIS)

Because this recipe contains ground beef, cook the beef to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), measured with a food thermometer. (USDA Ask FSIS)

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food
Category: Pasta / Casserole / Family Dinner

Nutrition: This casserole provides protein from the beef and dairy, carbohydrates from the pasta, and calcium from the cheese. Exact nutrition varies with the specific beef, milk, cheese, and pasta brands used.

Cheesy Beef & Pasta Bake

This cozy Cheesy Beef & Pasta Bake is packed with tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s an easy family-style casserole that comes together with simple pantry ingredients and bakes until golden and bubbling.

Ingredients

For the pasta and beef

  • 12 oz (340 g) medium shell pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt

For the creamy sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the topping

  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar or cheddar-mozzarella blend
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  4. Cook the pasta until just slightly firm according to the package directions.
  5. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  7. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small crumbles.
  8. Add the diced onion and cook until softened.
  9. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  10. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked.
  11. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  12. Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl temporarily.
  13. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  14. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  15. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.
  16. Cook for several minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
  17. Add the cream cheese and stir until completely smooth.
  18. Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  19. Add 1 cup cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella.
  20. Stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
  21. Return the cooked beef to the skillet.
  22. Add the drained pasta and gently toss everything together.
  23. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  24. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.
  25. Finish with Parmesan.
  26. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbling.
  27. For a more golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end while watching carefully.
  28. Let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.
  29. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
  30. Serve warm.

Helpful Tips

Don’t overcook the pasta. Since it continues cooking in the oven, slightly undercooked pasta gives the best texture.

Use freshly shredded cheese when possible. It generally melts more smoothly than some pre-shredded varieties.

Make it extra flavorful with a little Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper, or smoked paprika.

Add vegetables such as diced bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, peas, or finely chopped zucchini if you’d like more variety.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container. USDA guidance recommends using cooked leftovers within 3–4 days when properly refrigerated. Reheat casseroles until they reach 165°F (74°C) internally. (USDA Ask FSIS)

Because this recipe contains ground beef, cook the beef to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), measured with a food thermometer. (USDA Ask FSIS)

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food
Category: Pasta / Casserole / Family Dinner

Nutrition: This casserole provides protein from the beef and dairy, carbohydrates from the pasta, and calcium from the cheese. Exact nutrition varies with the specific beef, milk, cheese, and pasta brands used.