Baked Rotini is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together with friends and family. This recipe combines flavorful ground beef, vibrant vegetables, tangy tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked to perfection for a satisfying meal that everyone will love. With a total preparation time of just 1 hour and 15 minutes, including 35 minutes of baking time, this recipe is both convenient and delicious.
To start, gather your ingredients: ground beef, onion, green pepper, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, dried basil, garlic powder, oregano, dry crushed red pepper, rotini pasta, and mozzarella cheese. With these simple ingredients, you’ll create a dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture.
Begin by cooking the ground beef, onion, and green pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink. Once cooked, drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet. This step ensures that your dish is not only flavorful but also lean and healthy.
Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes and the next seven ingredients: tomato paste, salt, dried basil, garlic powder, oregano, and dry crushed red pepper. These ingredients add depth and richness to the sauce, infusing it with aromatic flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich and savory sauce that will coat every bite of pasta.
While the sauce is simmering, cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Al dente pasta has a firm texture and a slight bite to it, which pairs perfectly with the hearty sauce in this dish. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
After the sauce has simmered and thickened slightly, stir in the cooked rotini pasta until it’s well coated in the sauce. Then, add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir until it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The mozzarella cheese adds a creamy and gooey texture to the dish, binding everything together and creating irresistible cheesy pockets throughout.
Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. This ensures that every bite is filled with deliciousness and prevents any overcrowding, allowing the pasta to bake evenly.
Finally, bake the dish at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown. The aroma of bubbling cheese and savory sauce will fill your kitchen, signaling that your Baked Rotini is ready to be enjoyed.
Once out of the oven, let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the cheese to set slightly. Then, spoon generous portions onto plates and garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
With its rich flavors, hearty texture, and cheesy goodness, this Baked Rotini is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy family dinner or sharing it with friends at a casual gathering, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy and impress. Enjoy every comforting bite of this delicious meal, and savor the love and warmth it brings to your table.
