Cheesy Baked Fusilli
Beef & Broccoli
A comforting, family-favorite baked pasta dish loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender broccoli, and cherry tomatoes in a rich cream sauce, all baked under a bubbling blanket of melted cheese.
Baked pasta is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together rich flavors and satisfying textures in one dish. This cheesy baked fusilli elevates the classic casserole by incorporating fresh broccoli florets and sweet cherry tomatoes alongside savory ground beef. The heavy cream binds everything together into a luscious sauce that perfectly coats the spiral noodles, while a generous topping of mozzarella creates that irresistible, golden-brown cheese pull.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 medium red onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- to taste salt and black pepper
- 1 head broccoli florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 400 g fusilli pasta
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese blend
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella slices
Instructions
- 1Heat Olive Oil
Begin by placing a frying pan on the stove and preheating it. Pour a sufficient amount of olive oil into the pan to coat the bottom as it warms up.
Tip: Make sure the pan is heated before adding the oil for optimal cooking conditions. - 2Add Ground Beef and Aromatics
Place the ground beef into the oiled pan alongside diced red onions and minced garlic to build the flavor base of the dish.
Tip: Break up the ground beef slightly as it hits the pan to ensure even browning. - 3Season and Sauté the Meat
Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and oregano over the ground beef and onions. Stir the ingredients together and continue cooking until the meat is fully browned.
Tip: Evenly distribute the spices to ensure every piece of meat is well-seasoned. - 4Add Vegetables
Toss fresh broccoli florets and halved cherry tomatoes directly into the pan with the browned ground beef mixture. Add additional seasoning if necessary.
Tip: Stir the vegetables gently into the meat so they cook evenly without breaking apart. - 5Pour Heavy Cream
Pour heavy cream evenly over the sautéed meat and vegetables in the pan. Stir everything together until well combined and simmering.
Tip: Pour slowly while stirring to create a smooth, cohesive creamy sauce. - 6Mix Pasta Top with Cheese and Bake
Transfer the creamy meat and vegetable sauce into a baking dish, layering it thoroughly with previously cooked fusilli pasta. Top evenly with the shredded cheese blend and fresh mozzarella slices, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Tip: Ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce before adding the cheese topping.
