Moving Truck Baked Pasta Casserole

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, one-dish casserole with ground beef, marinara, and melted cheese—perfect for potlucks or meal prepping. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, lean ground beef, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 12 ounces penne pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, cook 1 pound ground beef over medium heat for 6-7 minutes until browned. Add 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves; cook for 3 minutes until onion is translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups marinara sauce and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, then season with salt to taste.
  4. Step 4: Layer half the cooked penne, half the meat sauce, and 1/2 cup mozzarella in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Repeat layers, then top with remaining mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden, then let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Moving Truck Baked Pasta Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Moving Truck Baked Pasta Casserole?

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 Moving Truck Baked Pasta Casserole?

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 Moving Truck Baked Pasta Casserole for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Moving Truck Baked Pasta Casserole?

American one pot 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

Related recipes