This cheesy ground beef pasta recipe is the perfect weeknight meal and is so delicious!
This recipe for Cheesy Beef & Kale Pasta Bake was adapted from one of my favorite recipes my mom used to make growing up. I’ve added some veggies and changed the original shredded chicken to beef to come up with this cheesy ground beef pasta recipe!
Why I love a cheesy pasta bake
Not only is this dish nostalgic, but it also tastes amazing and my whole family loves it! Havarti cheese pairs wonderfully with the ground meat and veggies.
Kale pasta nutrition
Have you heard of all the nutrition benefits of kale? Kale is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide heart and cancer protective benefits!
Pasta bake with ground beef cooking tips
For an even quicker weeknight meal, buy chopped yellow onions and kale. Remember, some packaged kale may include the stems so you will have to remove those before cooking.
As previously mentioned, my mom’s original recipe included shredded chicken. So, if you prefer chicken, go ahead and sub it for the ground meat for an equally tasty dish.
I like to use a flavorful marinara sauce that includes garlic and Italian herbs. Feel free to top the cheesy ground beef pasta with additional fresh or dried herbs if you like.
Ground beef pasta is so easy to make!
This recipe will be added to your weeknight routine because it is so easy and delicious! Simply cook the ground meat and pasta, combine, and mix your ingredients in the skillet, transfer to the casserole dish and bake for 20-30 minutes!
Let’s make baked penne pasta with ground beef
Gather all of your ingredients, a large skillet, 9 x 13 baking dish, colander, and a medium pot. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Add the yellow onions and sauté in avocado oil for 10-15 minutes until they start to brown. Add the ground beef to the sautéing onions and cook until it is no longer pink. Set the beef and onion mixture aside.
While the beef is cooking, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the beef and onions.
Next, add the chopped kale, marinara sauce, Havarti cheese, and mix it all up together to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the parmesan cheese. Bake on 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes until it starts to brown and bubble.
Enjoy!
Pasta dishes with ground beef
You can easily adapt this recipe to include your pasta and veggies of choice. I typically use a bean based pasta, but any brand or shape will work!
And, spinach works just as well as kale if you want to change things up!
Other pasta dishes to enjoy
If you loved my cheesy ground beef pasta, try these simple pasta dishes:
Cheesy Ground Lamb and Spinach Pasta Bake
Artichoke Lemon Pesto Chickpea Pasta
Spinach and Truffle Mushroom Pasta
Creamy Spinach Pasta with Shrimp (Gluten Free)
Cheesy Beef & Kale Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 pound penne pasta of choice
- 2 heads of kale chopped, stems removed
- 24 oz. seasoned marinara sauce
- 8 oz. soft havarti cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesean cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Add the the yellow onions and sautee in avocado oil for 10-15 minutes until they start to brown. Add the ground beef to the sauteeing onions, and cook until it is no longer pink. Set the beef and onion mixture aside.
- While the beef is cooking, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the beef and onions. Next, add the chopped kale, marinara sauce, and havarti cheese and mix it all up together to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the parmesan cheese. Bake on 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until it starts to brown and bubble. Enjoy!
One Response
The flavor was great but the kale was too chewy. I wondered if it was supposed to be cooked before being mixed in with all the other ingredients? Next time I might try baby spinach instead.