Easy Penne Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Easy Penne Pasta Bake—an effortless, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. This recipe combines al dente penne pasta with a rich and savory marinara sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and just a hint of optional spice from red pepper flakes. Layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty parmesan cheeses, it’s baked to golden perfection for that irresistible bubbly crust. Ready in just 45 minutes, this hearty baked pasta is as simple to prepare as it is satisfying. Garnish with fresh basil for a burst of flavor, and serve it alongside a crisp salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this penne pasta bake is comfort food at its finest with minimal effort.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the marinara sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated parmesan cheese over the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it evenly in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly golden.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your Easy Penne Pasta Bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2426 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 91.7 g | 118% | |
| Saturated Fat | 39.6 g | 198% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 216 mg | 72% | |
| Sodium | 4162 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 283.2 g | 103% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.8 g | 67% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.5 g | ||
| Protein | 113.0 g | 226% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2132 mg | 164% | |
| Iron | 16.0 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 883 mg | 19% | |
*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.
