Description
This delicious Baked Penne recipe combines al dente penne pasta with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce mixture, topped with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, then baked to perfection for a comforting and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Cheese Toppings
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F to get it ready for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook pasta: Boil penne pasta in salted water for 1-2 minutes less than al dente, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking in the oven.
- Cook beef mixture: Heat a little olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic, then crumble the beef and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until ground beef is fully cooked and onions soften.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and marinara sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce and mixed evenly with the beef mixture.
- Add cheeses and bake: Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Optional broil for crispiness: For a crispy cheesy top, broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the baked penne with chopped parsley and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- The baked penne can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.
- Use an oven-safe skillet or transfer mixture to a baking dish before baking if preferred.
- For a vegetarian variation, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or additional vegetables.
- Broiling time may vary by oven; watch carefully to prevent burning the cheese topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
