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Baked Penne Recipe

Baked Penne Recipe

4.7 from 10 reviews

This Baked Penne recipe is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a family dinner. With layers of pasta, a rich meat sauce, and three kinds of cheese, this baked pasta is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Penne Pasta:

1 pound penne pasta

Meat Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage, 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce, 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cheese Mixture:

1 cup ricotta cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish:

chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Cook the pasta: Cook the penne pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the meat sauce: Saute onion, garlic, and meat until cooked. Add sauces and seasonings, simmer.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Mix cooked pasta with meat sauce and cheese.
  5. Layer and bake: Layer pasta mixture and cheese in a baking dish. Bake covered, then uncover to melt cheese.
  6. Serve: Let the dish rest before serving. Garnish with herbs if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.

Nutrition