Description
Spaghetti meets stuffed peppers in this hearty Italian-inspired casserole that blends classic comfort with zesty flavors. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and perfectly roasted bell peppers combine to create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 1 ½ cups medium cheddar cheese, grated or sliced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley or 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 2 cups cream of tomato soup or your favorite pasta sauce
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (177°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the spaghetti casserole.
- Cook spaghetti until perfectly tender, ensuring each strand maintains a delicate texture. Drain and reserve for later integration.
- In a robust oven-safe skillet, warm olive oil over moderate heat. Gently sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they transform into a golden, fragrant medley.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the skillet.
- Incorporate ground beef, methodically breaking it into uniform crumbles. Cook thoroughly until the meat achieves a rich, caramelized brown coloration with no trace of pink.
- Enhance the meat mixture with Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper. Fold in tomato paste and marinara sauce, creating a robust and flavorful foundation.
- Delicately fold cooked spaghetti into the savory meat mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is luxuriously coated. Sprinkle a portion of cheddar cheese to amplify the dish’s creamy texture.
- Generously crown the casserole with remaining cheddar cheese, creating a molten golden blanket.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven, allowing the cheese to melt and bubble for approximately 20 minutes.
- Extract from oven and permit the casserole to rest, letting flavors harmonize. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Transforming traditional stuffed peppers into a hearty, cheesy pasta bake that brings family and friends together around the dinner table.
- Versatile recipe allows for creative swaps like ground turkey, different cheese blends, or extra veggies to customize your meal.
- Meal prep champions will love how easily this dish can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg