📖 Instructions

1. Gather all your ingredients and equipment. This makes the cooking process much smoother, I promise!
2. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You want to make sure there's no pink remaining.
3. Once the beef is fully browned, carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet. You can tilt the pan and use a spoon to scoop it out, or pour it into a heat-safe container. Leaving too much grease can make the dish oily.
4. To the same skillet with the drained beef, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté them over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes, or until they soften and the onion becomes translucent. This step builds a fantastic flavor base!
5. Stir in the minced garlic and dried Italian seasoning. Cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter very quickly.
6. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Add the sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the richer it tastes!
7. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until it's al dente (meaning it's cooked through but still firm to the bite). Resist the urge to overcook it!
8. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it thoroughly using a colander. Do not rinse the pasta; the starch helps the sauce cling better.
9. Stir the cooked pasta directly into the simmering ground beef sauce. Mix gently until the pasta is evenly coated.
10. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. If your skillet is oven-safe, sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture, then top with the remaining half of the cheese. If not, transfer the pasta to a 9x13 inch baking dish before adding the cheese.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown. If you want a deeper golden crust, you can carefully broil it for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch it like a hawk to prevent burning!
13. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil, if desired. Enjoy your hearty, loaded ground beef pasta!