Baked Rotini and Ground Beef: An Easy Comfort Recipe

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Tom Papia

Baked Rotini and Ground Beef. Rotini pasta mixed with ground beef, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce and baked to perfection.

Sometimes you are just in the mood for a calorie filled, pleasurable eating experience. Empty of guilt or the thought of home many miles I need to walk, or how many minutes on the elliptical I need, to enjoy this dish of baked rotini and ground beef with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.

This recipe’s middle name is comfort. Juicy and greasy ground beef, starchy pasta, savory marinara sauce, and oh so gooey mozzarella cheese. So put your guilt aside, grab your favorite eating utensil, and dig into this wonderful dish.

Baked Rotini and Ground Beef

NOTE

Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.

How to Make Baked Rotini and Ground Beef

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees

Preparing the Pasta:

  • Prepare the rotini according to the package instructions for al dente pasta. Strain the rotini and set aside.

Preparing the Ground Beef:

  • While the spaghetti is cooking, in a large skillet or pot on high heat add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Next, cook for 5-7 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink, mixing occasionally to break up the ground beef. Drain the oil and place the ground beef into a large mixing bowl.

Brining it All Together

  • Add the cooked rotini, marinara sauce, grated cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese to the mixing bowl. Mix well to incorporate all of the ingredients.
  • Next, place the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish and cover with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden in color.
Baked until the cheese is nice and melted

How to Serve Baked Rotini and Ground Beef

  • Serve the baked rotini and ground beef with a side salad or green vegetable.

More Pasta Recipes To Try

Pasta Primavera: Featured Image

Pasta Primavera Recipe

Chop up some vegetables, sprinkle on some olive oil, roast away, and combine with pasta. 

Pasta with Escarole and Beans: Feature Image

Pasta with Escarole and Beans

Escarole sautéed in garlic and oil and combined with cannellini beans, pasta, and grated cheese.

Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes: Feature Image

Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes

Zucchini and tomatoes sautéed with garlic and onions and mixed with pasta.

Pasta with Artichokes and Peppers

Pasta with Artichokes and Peppers

Artichokes and peppers sautéed with garlic, onions, and tomatoes and mixed with penne pasta.


The Recipe


Baked Rotini and Ground Beef

Baked Rotini and Ground Beef

aea7206f54b279a6a41a508e84cae324?s=30&d=mm&r=g Baked Rotini and Ground Beef | Baked Rotini and Ground Beef: An Easy Comfort RecipeTom Papia
Rotini pasta mixed with ground beef, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce and baked to perfection.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. rotini
  • 1 lb. ground beef 80/20
  • 24 oz. marinara sauce
  • 16 oz. mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup grated cheese
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. onion powder
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees

Preparing the Pasta:

  • Prepare the rotini according to the package instructions for al dente pasta. Strain the rotini and set aside.

Preparing the Ground Beef:

  • While the spaghetti is cooking, in a large skillet or pot on high heat add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Next, cook for 5-7 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink, mixing occasionally to break up the ground beef. Drain the oil and place the ground beef into a large mixing bowl.

Brining it All Together

  • Add the cooked rotini, marinara sauce, grated cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese to the mixing bowl. Mix well to incorporate all of the ingredients.
  • Next, place the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish and cover with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden in color.

To Serve:

  • Serve the baked rotini and ground beef with a side salad or green vegetable.

Invent Your Recipe

Invent Your Recipe:
This recipe called for ground beef, however, I have made this dish before with ground turkey, chicken, or pork. They all work well and have a similar cook time. With these choices, just be careful to not cook the meat to long as it will dry out. The turkey, chicken, and pork have a much lower fat content, so the meat can dry out if cooked too long.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal
Keyword Italian Recipe, marinara sauce, Mozzarella, pasta, rotini
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Invent Your Recipe:

This recipe calls for ground beef, however, I have made this dish before with ground turkey, chicken, or pork. They all work well and the overall recipe will have a similar cook time. However, with these other choices, just be careful to not cook the meats to long as they may dry out. The turkey, chicken, and pork have a much lower fat content, so the meat can dry out if cooked too long.

For more great recipes check out our beef recipes page.

For even more great ideas like this baked rotini and ground beef dish check out our pinterest page.

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