Million Dollar Pasta Bake (1 Hr, 27 Mins)

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This Million Dollar Pasta Bake is a luxurious and indulgent dish that’s perfect for when you’re craving something extra special.

This pasta bake combines a rich meat sauce with penne pasta, layered with a blend of creamy cheeses and baked to golden perfection.

It’s a dish that’s sure to impress, making it ideal for a cozy family dinner or when entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pasta:

  • 1 lb penne pasta

For the Cheese Mixture:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven (5 minutes): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook Pasta (10 minutes): Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare Meat Sauce (20 minutes): In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic, cooking until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
  4. Mix Cheeses (5 minutes): In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and the beaten egg. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Assemble the Pasta Bake (10 minutes): In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta. Top with half of the meat sauce and then half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers.
  6. Top with Remaining Cheese (2 minutes): Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
  7. Bake (25-30 minutes): Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  8. Serve (5 minutes): Let the pasta bake cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

The key to a perfect Million Dollar Pasta Bake is in the layers. Each layer should be generously applied to create a rich and flavorful experience with every bite.

The combination of different cheeses in the cheese mixture adds a creamy and luxurious texture to the dish. This pasta bake is not only delicious but also visually appealing with its golden cheesy crust.

Serve this dish with a side of crusty bread and a simple side salad and enjoy your meal!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.heresyourdinner.com/million-dollar-pasta-bake-1-hr-27-mins/