Description
Creamy cheesy baked penne delivers pure Italian-inspired comfort straight from your kitchen. Rich pasta layers meld with melted cheese, creating a soul-warming dish perfect for family gatherings or cozy weekend meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Liquids and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in a generously salted boiling water, cooking until tender yet firm (approximately 1-2 minutes less than package recommendation). Drain and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent clumping.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly, discarding excess fat. Sauté diced onions until translucent, then incorporate minced garlic, Italian herbs, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional minute.
- Pour marinara and diced tomatoes into the meat mixture, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop rich flavors for 10 minutes.
- Whisk ricotta, egg, garlic powder, black pepper, mozzarella, and parmesan in a separate bowl until smoothly integrated.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread a thin sauce layer in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Create alternating layers: pasta, cheese mixture, meat sauce. Repeat the layering process, finishing with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crisp, caramelized cheese topping.
- Rest the dish for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and settle. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by removing it from boiling water when it’s slightly undercooked, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy during baking.
- Drain excess fat from ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and maintain a clean, rich meat sauce flavor.
- Customize the recipe by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for different dietary preferences.
- Add depth to the cheese mixture by incorporating fresh herbs like basil or oregano, enhancing the overall aromatic profile of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg