Delicious Pasta Bake
Dive into the cozy comfort of this *Delicious Pasta Bake*, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a rich, meaty tomato sauce infused with garlic, onion, oregano, and basil, layered with creamy ricotta and gooey, melted mozzarella cheese. Topped with a golden, bubbly blanket of Parmesan and finished with fresh parsley, this oven-baked classic delivers a satisfying balance of textures and irresistible flavors. With only 20 minutes of prep time, it’s an easy yet impressive meal that serves six and promises to please even the pickiest eaters. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this pasta bake is sure to become a go-to favorite in your recipe collection.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 500 grams ground beef
- 800 grams 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 shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a large baking dish with a little olive oil.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the prepared meat sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread the ricotta cheese over the top in an even layer.
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the ricotta layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it evenly.
Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top layer.
Bake the pasta in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbling and golden.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set slightly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
618 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.5 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.7 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 109 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 798 mg | 35% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.3 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 36.3 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 465 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 691 mg | 15% | |
*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.
