There’s something special about digging into a big dish of cheesy, saucy pasta, and this Pizza hut meaty marinara recipe delivers that same comfort every time. It’s packed with ground beef, tender rotini noodles, and a homemade marinara sauce that’s full of garlic and basil flavor. Everything gets baked under a layer of mozzarella until it’s golden and bubbly. It’s a simple dish that feels homemade and comforting, perfect for a family dinner or a quiet night in.
Why this recipe works
- Homemade flavor: Fresh garlic, herbs, and tomato sauce simmer together to create a deep, flavorful base that makes every bite delicious.
- Comforting combination: Juicy ground beef, tender pasta, and melted mozzarella come together for a hearty texture that’s always satisfying.
- Simple preparation: The steps are easy to follow, and most ingredients are pantry staples, making it convenient for any night of the week.
- Baked perfection: Baking the pasta helps the flavors blend while giving the cheese a beautiful golden top with just the right crisp.
- Family favorite: Everyone loves the classic Italian taste, and it’s a reliable dish to serve when you want something everyone will enjoy.



Serving suggestions
- Complete meal: Pair this pasta with warm garlic bread or breadsticks for dipping into the rich marinara sauce.
- Balanced option: Serve with a simple green salad tossed in vinaigrette to add freshness and balance to the meal.
- Dinner comfort: Enjoy it with iced tea or a light red wine for a cozy dinner that feels both easy and special.
- Next-day lunch: Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat for lunch; the sauce stays flavorful and the cheese melts beautifully again.
- Party favorite: This dish works well for gatherings since it can be baked ahead and kept warm for serving without losing its texture.
Pizza hut meaty marinara recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Description
Bring the taste of your favorite restaurant home with this Pizza Hut meaty marinara recipe, a cheesy, saucy pasta baked to perfection for dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
- 1 24 ounces can crushed tomatoes
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 /2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned while breaking up into chunks with a spatula, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, tomato puree, sugar, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and basil. Mix well. Simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and mix with the prepared marinara sauce. Place the mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Place into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and begun to brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 413
- Sugar: 11.5 g
- Sodium: 717.6 mg
- Fat: 6.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 58.4 g
- Protein: 31.5 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg