Name: Frankie Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb. Pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni); 1 cup Ricotta cheese; ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 1 egg, whisked; 2 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 lb. Ground beef; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon Salt; ½ teaspoon Pepper; 1 teaspoon Onion powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce; Fresh parsley, for garnish

Introduction

Frankie pasta bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole featuring tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and layers of creamy cheeses. It’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep, delivering hearty flavor with an easy bake. Get ready for a deliciously saucy pasta dish that’s both satisfying and simple to make.

A white plate holds a layered baked pasta dish. The bottom layer is orange-red pasta mixed with browned ground meat. Above that is a thick layer of melted golden and white cheese, slightly bubbling and stretching in places. Small green herb bits are sprinkled over the top, adding color contrast. A silver fork with a black handle rests at the edge of the plate on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb. pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)

1 cup ricotta cheese

¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)

1 egg (whisked)

2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (separated)

1 lb. ground beef

1 small yellow onion (diced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce

Fresh parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: In a bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, whisked egg, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Set aside.

Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente, then drain carefully to avoid mushy pasta.

Step 4: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef with the diced onion. Drain excess grease when browned.

Step 5: Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to the beef mixture. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6: Stir in the marinara sauce, heat through, then remove from heat.

Step 7: Mix the drained pasta with about ¾ of the meat sauce. Spread this mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Step 8: Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta and sauce, then pour the remaining meat sauce on top.

Step 9: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 10: Remove the foil, top with the remaining 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and browns slightly.

Step 11: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm. Garlic bread with cheese makes a perfect side.

Tips & Variations

Use a hearty pasta like rigatoni or penne to hold the sauce well.

For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.

Add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies.

Try a sprinkle of crushed red pepper on top before baking for extra heat.

Make it vegetarian by replacing beef with sautéed lentils or a plant-based substitute.

Storage

Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the entire dish covered with foil in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes. It also freezes well—freeze in portions for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pasta instead of dried?

Fresh pasta can be used, but adjust the cooking time as fresh pasta cooks much faster. Reduce the boiling time accordingly to avoid overcooking before baking.

What if I want it spicier?

Add extra red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some cayenne pepper into the cheese mixture for a spicier kick. You can also top the bake with sliced jalapeños before the final bake.