Updated on October 13th, 2025
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
Bring the taste of your favorite restaurant home with this Pizza Hut meaty marinara recipe, a cheesy, saucy pasta baked to perfection for dinners.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
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