Husbands Delight Casserole

Husband Delight Casserole in a baking dish with a serving spoon.

Husbands Delight Casserole

A hearty, cheesy pasta bake loaded with rich meat sauce and melty layers that make weeknight dinner feel like a win.

Course Lunch or Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 526kcal

Author Deb Clark

Equipment

1 9x13 casserole dish

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
32 ounces store-bought pasta sauce about a jar and a half.
½ cup pasta water
1 pound pasta penne, rigatoni, or your choice
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
Season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Pour the entire jar of pasta sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Combine the cooked pasta with the beef and sauce mixture in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated. It should be good and saucy! If needed add the pasta water a ¼ cup at a time. Again, you want it to be saucy, not dry.
In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the pasta.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the rest of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy the cheesy deliciousness!

Notes

Refrigerate—Either cover the baking dish in plastic wrap or store leftovers in an airtight container. They'll keep for up to three days.

Freezer - Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Reheat—Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Then, reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave in 30-45 second bursts until heated through.

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