Description
Hearty Meat Lovers Casserole delivers a rich symphony of savory proteins and robust seasonings from traditional American kitchens. Flavor-packed layers of ground beef, sausage, and bacon promise a satisfying meal that will make meat enthusiasts celebrate with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne or rigatoni works best)
- 1 jar (24 oz or 680 g) marinara or pasta sauce
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) diced bacon, cooked (about 4–5 slices)
- ½ cup (75 g) diced ham
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Boiling Preparation: Fill a generously sized pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil, creating the perfect environment for cooking pasta to al dente perfection.
- Pasta Cooking: Submerge pasta into the bubbling water, allowing it to simmer and soften until achieving an ideal texture that balances tenderness and slight resistance.
- Draining Process: Transfer pasta to a colander, gently shaking to remove excess moisture, then transfer to a waiting bowl to maintain warmth and readiness for subsequent culinary steps.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Watch pasta closely during boiling to maintain al dente texture, checking package instructions and testing for firmness to avoid mushy results.
- Salt Water Strategically: Use ample salt in boiling water to enhance pasta’s natural flavor, creating a more robust taste foundation for the casserole.
- Drain Thoroughly: Shake colander gently to remove excess moisture, preventing watery consistency in the final dish and ensuring sauce clings perfectly to pasta.
- Keep Pasta Warm: Cover pasta bowl with a clean kitchen towel after draining to retain heat and prevent sticking, maintaining ideal temperature for subsequent cooking steps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Breakfast
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 602
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg