Ground Beef & Mushroom Pasta Bake
A hearty baked pasta with savory ground beef, earthy mushrooms, and a creamy tomato sauce for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs penne pasta, ground beef, sliced mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup, sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil penne pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: Stir in mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes until tender. Add tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Fold in cooked pasta and heavy cream. Stir until well combined. Transfer to a baking dish and top with parmesan.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ground Beef & Mushroom Pasta Bake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Ground Beef & Mushroom Pasta Bake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ground Beef & Mushroom Pasta Bake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ground Beef & Mushroom Pasta Bake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ground Beef & Mushroom Pasta Bake?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
