Description
A warm and cheesy dish with tender penne pasta enveloped in savory beef and tomato sauce, topped with a melty cheese crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 oz penne pasta
- 1.1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz tomato passata or marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a large baking dish to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Boil the penne pasta in salted water, cooking it 2 minutes less than the package instructions specify. Drain and set it aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it softens.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks until the beef is no longer pink, around 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then pour in the tomato passata, add the dried Italian herbs, and sprinkle in red pepper flakes (if using), along with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine the cooked penne pasta with the beef sauce in the skillet.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
- Pour the remaining pasta mixture over this layer and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Let the Cheesy Beef Penne Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or chopped parsley. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg