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Mini Pasta Muffin Bakes with Cheesy Beef

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Mini Pasta Muffin Bakes with Cheesy Beef are bite-sized baked pasta cups combining tender noodles, seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and melty cheese for a comforting and portable meal option.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups cooked short pasta (elbow, penne, or rotini)
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray or muffin liners

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or use paper liners.
  2. Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium and sauté onion until translucent.
  4. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  5. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, and cook until browned.
  6. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, meat sauce, egg, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs.
  8. Spoon the mixture into muffin cups and press gently to hold shape.
  9. Top each with the remaining mozzarella.
  10. Bake for 15–20 minutes until set and cheese is bubbly.
  11. Cool slightly before removing from the tin.

Notes

  • Use muffin liners for easier cleanup.
  • For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken.
  • Add vegetables for extra nutrition.
  • Freeze individually for future meals.
  • Let cool slightly to help them hold their shape when removing from tin.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastyera.com/mini-pasta-muffin-bakes-with-cheesy-beef/