Baked Penne Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Penne Pasta recipe, a hearty and flavorful dish that will satisfy the whole family. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is smothered in a rich, homemade meat sauce made with ground beef, garlic, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano, then layered with creamy ricotta and topped with a golden, bubbly blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Baked until irresistibly gooey, this casserole-style pasta dish is as easy to make as it is delicious. Ready in under an hour and serving up to six, it's the perfect weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing meal for a gathering. Garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor, this baked pasta masterpiece is sure to become a household favorite. Keywords: baked penne pasta, easy pasta bake, cheesy pasta casserole, family dinner recipes, comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams ground beef
- 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 250 grams ricotta cheese
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned. Break up any lumps with a spoon as it cooks, about 7-10 minutes.
Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the tomato sauce and ricotta cheese, mixing well.
Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan over the top evenly.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the baked penne pasta cool for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving for an added burst of flavor and color.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
612 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.4 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.3 g | 86% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 104 mg | 35% | |
| Sodium | 965 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.8 g | ||
| Protein | 36.2 g | 72% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 476 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 651 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
