Dutch Oven Beef Pasta Bake Recipe: One-Pot Meal

Ground beef, pasta sauce, cheese, and a few simple ingredients come together to create a delicious and easy Dutch Oven Beef Pasta Bake that the whole family will love.

This meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, and leftovers make great lunches. Dutch oven pasta bake is a great recipe for preparing one day and reheating it the next day for a party or potluck dinner.

You can even swap out the ground beef for turkey or vegan mince to make it your own. Give this recipe a try tonight!

Ingredients Overview

Ground Beef

Ground beef is a great protein, full of nutrients, to use in pasta dishes because it is flavorful and easy to cook. It also absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish, making it a delicious and hearty meal

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a healthy fat that helps to flavor the dish and keep the beef moist as it cooks.

Onion

Onions are a staple ingredient in many pasta dishes. They add sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce.

Carrot

Carrots add sweetness, color, and nutrients to the dish. They also help to thicken the sauce.

Red Bell Pepper

Bell peppers are a great addition to pasta dishes because they add sweetness, color, and crunch.

Oregano

Oregano is a common herb used in Italian cooking. It adds flavor and depth to the sauce.

Basil

Basil is another herb used in Italian cooking. It has a sweet, peppery flavor that goes well with the other ingredients in the dish.

Salt

Salt is used to season the sauce and bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.

Black Pepper

Black pepper is used to season the sauce and add a little bit of heat.

Corn

Corn is a great addition to pasta dishes because it adds sweetness, color, and crunch.

Baby Peas

Baby peas are a great addition to pasta dishes because they add sweetness, color, and nutrients.

Pasta Sauce

Spaghetti sauce is the perfect base for this dish because it is full of flavor and easy to find in most stores. You can use any type of pasta sauce that you like, but I recommend using a meat or vegetable-based sauce for the best flavor.

Penne Pasta

Penne pasta is a type of Italian pasta that is tubular. It is a good choice for this dish because it holds up well to the sauce and has a good bite.

Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella cheese is a delicious, mild-flavored cheese that melts well. It is the perfect cheese for topping this pasta bake.

Beef Stock Cube

Beef stock cubes are a great way to add flavor to any dish. They dissolve in the sauce and add a rich, beefy flavor.

Substitutions

Although this recipe tastes amazing as is, there are a few substitutions you could make if needed.

For the ground beef, you could use ground turkey or chicken instead.

You can substitute the oregano and basil for Italian Seasoning. Use a cup of beef broth in place of the beef stock cube.

If you do not have a red bell pepper on hand, you could use green bell pepper or red pepper flakes.

You could also use any type of pasta that you have on hand – just make sure it is cooked al dente before adding it to the sauce.

And finally, if mozzarella cheese is not your favorite, you could try using another type of cheese such as cheddar or Parmesan cheese.

If you don’t have a Dutch oven you can prepare the dish on the stovetop in a large pot and then transfer it to a casserole dish for the remainder of the cooking process.

Recipe

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion small to medium, diced
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1 medium/large red bell pepper, diced (Optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1/2 cup frozen baby peas
• 1 x 16-ounce bottle of pasta sauce
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 cups cooked penne pasta
• 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, makes the dish creamier

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit

Prepare ingredients for cooking

Cook pasta cook using package directions package reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water and drain

Add olive oil to your large Dutch oven (I use a 5-quart Dutch oven)

Heat the pot over medium-high heat and add the ground beef

Break down and brown meat by stirring until ready

Add onion and stir the bottom of the pan till translucent, 1-2 minutes

Add the garlic, carrot, and peppers if using them, to the meat mixture and cook for 2 minutes keep stirring so they do not stick – reduce to medium heat or low heat if the pot is too hot

Add the crumbled beef stock cube, combine

Pour in the pasta sauce carrot, stir, and combine. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, peas, corn, and combine

Simmer for a couple of minutes before adding cooked pasta and mixing the pasta through gently. You do not want to break it up

Sprinkle cheese on top

Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese melts and is a little brown

Garnish with herbs. Serve and enjoy!

What to Serve With This Pasta Dish

This pasta dish can be served on its own or with a side of garlic bread, green salad, or fresh spinach. It would also be good with some roasted vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts. And if you want to impress your guests, you could top it with some crispy bacon bits or crumbled sausage.

Recipe Notes

Variations to this easy meal include extra tomato sauce or diced tomatoes for a heartier dish. A dash of red wine or tomato paste helps to bring out the flavors as well.

You could also add more vegetables such as zucchini or spinach for some extra vegetables.

For a decadent touch, you can add some pre-seared Italian sausage.

This recipe can be made ahead of time and then reheated when ready to serve. Simply reheat in the oven on low until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.

Storage Instructions

Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or the oven at a low temperature, with a little extra cheese sprinkled on top – yum!

Wrapping Up: Dutch Oven Beef Pasta Bake Recipe

This Dutch Oven Beef Pasta Bake is a delicious and hearty dish that kids and fussy eaters alike will love and is perfect for a winter meal. This family-friendly comfort food also shines when dished up to a large crowd, multiplying this recipe is easy and budget-friendly as well.

The beef is cooked in the Dutch oven with herbs and vegetables, then mixed with pasta and cheese and baked until melted and golden brown. If there are any leftovers they can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Enjoy!

SOME OF MY OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

• Dutch Oven Chili Recipe: Easy Campfire or Kitchen Cooking
• Dutch Oven Ground Beef Curry
• Dutch Oven Porcupine Meatballs in 1 Hour
• Curried Sausages Dutch Oven Style

Dutch Oven Pasta Recipe Inspiration

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!