Penne Casserole
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this hearty and comforting Penne Casserole, a crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish that combines tender penne, savory ground beef, and a rich, homemade tomato sauce. Layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty parmesan, this casserole bakes to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour! Infused with aromatic Italian seasoning, garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes, every bite bursts with flavor. Perfect for feeding a family or serving at a dinner party, this recipe is easy to prepare and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for leftovers. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness, and get ready to indulge in layers of cheesy, saucy goodness!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams penne pasta
- 450 grams ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 800 grams (canned) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1.5 teaspoons (divided) salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 300 grams, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams, grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional for garnish) fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a light coating of olive oil or nonstick spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne pasta, and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine the cooked pasta and sauce in a large bowl, mixing until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by half the grated parmesan cheese.
Layer the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
595 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.0 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.9 g | 75% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 97 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 917 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.0 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 32.9 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 380 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 695 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.
