Creamy Beef Pasta Bake
I’ve been making this creamy beef pasta bake for years when I want something that’s comforting, almost effortless, and reliably crowd-pleasing. It’s a cheesy, saucy casserole of pasta shells and browned ground beef folded into a rich cream-marinara mixture, baked until bubbling — perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or a lazy Sunday dinner. If you like one-dish meals that reheat well, this is the kind of recipe you’ll reach for again and again. For a similar creamy pasta idea that swaps shapes but keeps the comfort, see this version with bowties: creamy beef and bowtie pasta.
Why you’ll love this dish
This bake hits a lot of home-cooking sweet spots: it’s fast to assemble, budget-friendly, and kid-approved. The cream (or cream cheese) keeps the casserole silky, while a hit of marinara adds brightness so the dish never tastes heavy. It’s forgiving — you can swap cheeses, add vegetables, or use different pasta shapes — and it scales easily for guests.
"A family favorite: rich, simple, and always disappears from the table."
For another weeknight-friendly, creamy beef skillet to inspire quick swaps, check this creamy garlic butter pasta using ground beef: creamy garlic butter pasta with ground beef.
How this recipe comes together
This is a straightforward, three-stage process:
- Boil pasta shells until just al dente so they finish cooking in the oven without getting mushy.
- Brown and flavor the ground beef with onion and garlic, then stir in cream and marinara to make a glossy, saucy mixture.
- Toss pasta with the beef-cream sauce, top with shredded cheese, and bake until the top is golden and bubbly.
Keeping steps simple means you can prep most of this in under 20 minutes before it goes into the oven for a 25–30 minute finish.
What you’ll need
- 8 oz pasta shells (small to medium shells work best to hold sauce)
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 for good flavor; leaner beef works too)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cream or cream cheese (use heavy cream for a looser sauce, cream cheese for extra body)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar, or a mix)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Notes: If you want more tang, swap half the marinara for crushed tomatoes; for a lighter version, use half-and-half and add a tablespoon of flour to help thicken. For an idea that swaps in chicken and similar creamy flavors, see this creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake: creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake.
Directions to follow
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch or similar baking dish.
- Cook the pasta shells in well-salted boiling water until al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the beef and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the cream (or add softened cream cheese) and the marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 2–3 minutes to warm through and slightly thicken.
- Remove from heat and fold the cooked pasta into the beef-cream sauce until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are bubbling. If you like a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes while watching closely.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
For another casserole-inspiration that tucks veggies into a crescent-style bake, you might find these assembly and timing ideas helpful: creamy broccoli chicken crescent bake.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve hot straight from the oven with a crisp contrast:
- Pair with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness.
- Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is perfect for mopping up any sauce.
- For a lighter plate, scoop a smaller portion and add roasted vegetables on the side (broccoli, green beans, or roasted carrots).
Plating tip: spoon into shallow bowls and sprinkle fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes for color and a gentle heat boost.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of baking. Stored properly, they’ll keep 3–4 days.
- To reheat: sprinkle a little water or milk over a portion to loosen the sauce, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, or microwave in 30-second bursts until hot.
- To freeze: cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Always reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
Helpful cooking tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta: al dente is key so it stays firm after baking.
- If using cream cheese, soften it first and whisk with a splash of milk to avoid lumps.
- Add a tablespoon of tomato paste with the marinara if you want deeper tomato flavor.
- For extra creaminess, stir half the cheese into the sauce before baking and reserve the rest for the top.
- Drain excess fat from the beef well to prevent a greasy casserole.
Creative twists
- Vegetarian: swap the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms and lentils for a meaty texture.
- Spicy: add a chopped jalapeño with the onion or stir in crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cheesy variations: mix fontina and mozzarella for meltiness, or add a handful of parmesan for savory depth.
- One-pan shortcut: brown beef and cook pasta in a large, oven-safe skillet with a bit more liquid, then finish under the broiler. For reference on a one-pot technique, see this one-pot creamy tomato beef pasta: one pot creamy tomato beef pasta.
Helpful answers
Q: How long does this take from start to finish?
A: Active prep is about 20 minutes (browning, boiling pasta, stirring sauce). Bake time is 25–30 minutes, so plan on about 50–60 minutes total.
Q: Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
A: Yes. Ground turkey or chicken will work; brown it the same way but consider adding a bit more seasoning or umami (soy sauce or Worcestershire) since they’re milder.
Q: Is it okay to use cream cheese instead of cream?
A: Absolutely. Cream cheese makes the sauce thicker and tangier — soften it first and whisk with a little milk or reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Q: Can I make this ahead and bake later?
A: Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking straight from chilled.
Q: What’s the best cheese to use?
A: Mozzarella melts beautifully; cheddar adds sharpness. A blend of both (plus a sprinkle of parmesan) gives great flavor and stretch.
Conclusion
If you want another creamy beef casserole to compare techniques and flavor balance, this Creamy Beef Pasta Bake from Cooking in the Midwest shows a similar method with slight ingredient tweaks that might inspire your next bake. For a tighter one-pot approach that reduces cleanup, take a look at this one pot creamy tomato beef pasta at RecipeTin Eats.
Creamy Beef Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Pasta and Meat
- 8 oz pasta shells Small to medium shells work best to hold sauce.
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 for good flavor; leaner beef works too.
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 cups cream or cream cheese Use heavy cream for a looser sauce, cream cheese for extra body.
- 1 cup marinara sauce Homemade or store-bought.
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheese Mozzarella or cheddar, or a mix.
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- to taste Chopped parsley for garnish Optional.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch or similar baking dish.
- Cook the pasta shells in well-salted boiling water until al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the beef and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the cream (or add softened cream cheese) and the marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes to warm through and slightly thicken.
- Remove from heat and fold the cooked pasta into the beef-cream sauce until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Baking
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are bubbling.
- If you like a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes while watching closely.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
