Dinner

Frankie Pasta Bake Recipe

ByNoah Steele November 22, 2025November 22, 2025

Introduction

Frankie pasta bake is a hearty, comforting dish that combines tender pasta with rich meat sauce and creamy cheese layers. It’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep, offering a delicious blend of flavors that everyone will love.

A white plate holds a single serving of baked pasta layered three times: the bottom layer is cooked pasta mixed with a chunky red tomato sauce containing bits of browned ground meat; the middle layer has a thick and creamy cheese sauce blending with the sauce beneath; the top layer is melted golden-brown cheese, bubbly and slightly browned, sprinkled with small green herb pieces. A silver fork with a black handle rests on the edge of the plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb. pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni)
1 cup ricotta cheese

¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
1 egg (whisked)

2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (separated)
1 lb. ground beef

1 small yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce
Fresh parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, whisked egg, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Set this mixture aside.
Step 3: Begin boiling water for the pasta. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than al dente, then drain it carefully to avoid mushiness.

Step 4: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef with diced onions until browned. Drain any grease from the pan.
Step 5: Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to the beef. Cook for one more minute to blend the flavors.
Step 6: Stir in the marinara sauce and heat through, then remove from heat.

Step 7: Mix the drained pasta with about three-quarters of the meat sauce. Transfer this to a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 8: Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta, then spread the remaining meat sauce on top.
Step 9: Cover the dish and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups mozzarella cheese on top, then increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 10: Bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef for a different flavor.
For extra veggies, add diced bell peppers or mushrooms when cooking the onions and beef.

Let the pasta rest for a few minutes after baking to help it set for easier serving.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, or microwave in shorter intervals to prevent drying out.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a generous serving of baked pasta with three clear layers: the bottom layer is orange pasta mixed with brown ground meat, the middle layer is a rich, chunky red tomato sauce, and the top layer is melted, creamy white cheese sprinkled with small green parsley pieces. The cheese is golden brown and bubbly in spots, while strands of cheese stretch slightly from the pasta. A silver fork with a black handle rests on the top edge of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of pasta for this bake?

Yes, pasta shapes like rigatoni, penne, or ziti work best because they hold the sauce well, but feel free to use other short pasta shapes you have on hand.