Description
This Baked Penne recipe features tender pasta combined with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce mixture, topped with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, then baked to bubbly perfection. It's a hearty and comforting Italian-American casserole that's perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Other
- Olive oil for cooking
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F to get it ready for baking the pasta later.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne in salted water until it's just under al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Beef and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Crumble the beef and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning as it cooks. Sauté until the beef is cooked through and onions become soft.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne directly into the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour the marinara sauce over and stir together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
- Add Cheeses: Dollop ricotta cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top to cover the surface.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until heated through and bubbly. For a golden, crispy cheese topping, broil on high for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- Leftovers keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows you to cook the entire dish in one pan, saving cleanup time.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or cooked vegetables.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes during the sauté step.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta during boiling to avoid mushy baked pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
