Mom's Pasta Casserole Recipe Is a Budget High-Protein Dinner (8 Ingredients) High Protein Recipes Casseroles Pasta Dinner Beef Budget Recipes Chicken Recipes

Pasta casseroles always trend on 30Seconds. Why? Because they're easy, filling, budget-friendly and everyone loves them. This creamy baked pasta casserole recipe shakes things up by using salsa instead of tomato sauce (secret ingredient) and cream cheese to make it irresistible. A delicious twist, right? Plus it is a high-protein casserole. Check out the health benefits of protein.

The creamy casserole recipe is made with pasta (we suggest penne, rotini or ziti), ground beef or ground turkey, onion, a jar of salsa (check out the health benefits of salsa), cream cheese (enter the creaminess factor), beef broth, mozzarella cheese and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The casserole is baked in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Dinner is done.

Use mild, medium or hot salsa to fit your favorite level of spiciness. You could even add more flavor with fire-roasted salsa. 

Serve this easy ground beef (or ground turkey!) pasta recipe with a salad and garlic bread for a hearty, comforting dinner any day of the week.

Cuisine: Italian / American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups pasta, cooked according to package directions for al dente
• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 12 ounces (1 jar) salsa
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Here's how to make it: 

1. Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet until meat is cooked through, about 6 minutes.
2. Add the salsa, beef stock and cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring, until cheese melts and is thoroughly incorporated into the meat. 
3. Add the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Use whatever short pasta you like for this casserole recipe. Penne, rotini or ziti work well.
4. Pour into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Top with the cheeses. 
5. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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