Cheesy Baked Penne
Indulge in comforting homemade goodness with this Cheesy Baked Penne recipe—a family-friendly dish loaded with bold flavors and gooey, golden cheese. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is coated in a rich tomato cream sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and fresh basil, then layered with melty mozzarella and nutty Parmesan for the ultimate comfort food experience. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, this hearty casserole combines creamy, cheesy textures with classic Italian-inspired flavors, making it an irresistible option for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings. Plus, it’s easy to prepare in under an hour, offering a warm, satisfying meal for the whole family. Keywords: Cheesy Baked Penne, pasta casserole, Italian comfort food, easy dinner recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 pieces Garlic cloves
- 800 grams Crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 10 pieces Fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 200 grams Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 250 milliliters Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the fresh basil leaves to the tomato sauce, tearing them into smaller pieces as you stir them in.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce is well combined and slightly thickened.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with the remaining tablespoon of butter.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
Layer the remaining pasta on top and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
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 until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil leaves if desired and enjoy your cheesy baked penne!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3926 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 217.4 g | 279% | |
| Saturated Fat | 113.4 g | 567% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 569 mg | 190% | |
| Sodium | 5473 mg | 238% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 342.5 g | 125% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.9 g | 96% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.9 g | ||
| Protein | 142.1 g | 284% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2763 mg | 213% | |
| Iron | 23.3 mg | 129% | |
| Potassium | 2835 mg | 60% | |
*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.
