Baked Pasta with Cheese and Meat
Ingredients:
3 cups cooked pasta (penne or fusilli)
1 lb ground beef or turkey
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a large baking dish.
Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat until browned. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for another minute. Drain excess fat.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and cooked meat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve: Let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your delicious Cheesy Pasta Bake!