Name: Greek Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Greek-American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 pound penne pasta; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Description

This Greek Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce is a hearty and comforting dish that combines tender penne pasta with a flavorful meat sauce seasoned with oregano, garlic, and onion, all topped with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this baked pasta dish offers a delicious blend of Mediterranean flavors with classic Italian-American baking.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Pasta

1 pound penne pasta

Cheese Topping

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the pasta later.
Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the pan to keep the sauce from being greasy.
Sauté onion and garlic: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and sauté until they are softened and fragrant.
Make the meat sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 15 minutes so the flavors meld together.
Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked penne pasta thoroughly with the prepared meat sauce to ensure every piece is coated.
Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the pasta and meat sauce mixture into a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake the pasta: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
Cool and serve: Let the baked pasta cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly for easier portioning.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a more traditional Greek flavor.
For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes along with the oregano.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor compared to pre-grated options.
Ensure not to overcook the pasta before baking as it will cook further in the oven.