Description
Ground Beef Alfredo Bake: Juicy beef, creamy Alfredo sauce, and melted cheese bake together for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454g) lean ground beef
- 12 ounces (340g) penne pasta (or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (473ml) Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 2 cups (226g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate for al dente. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it – the starch helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta.
- Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef Mixture Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Brown the meat until no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving a small amount for flavor.
- Step 3: Create the Alfredo Sauce Mixture Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the Alfredo sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Add milk and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Add the red pepper flakes if using.
- Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce Add the cooked pasta to the sauce mixture, stirring gently to coat each piece evenly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. The mixture should be creamy but not too runny – it will thicken further during baking.
- Step 5: Assemble and Bake Transfer half of the pasta mixture to your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Dust with the remaining Italian seasoning. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For an extra golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 6: Serve Remove from oven and let the Ground Beef Alfredo Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving – this helps the sauce set slightly and makes serving easier. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450 calories per serving
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 grams
- Saturated Fat: 12 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 85 mg