Penne Pasta Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne Pasta Casserole, a hearty and flavorful baked dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Featuring tender penne pasta layered with a rich tomato-based meat sauce, seasoned with the warm flavors of Italian seasoning and garlic, this casserole is topped with gooey, golden melted mozzarella and nutty parmesan cheese. The addition of ground beef or Italian sausage enhances its savory depth, while a sprinkle of fresh basil adds a burst of herbal freshness. Ready in just an hour, this make-ahead-friendly dish is ideal for busy evenings, delivering a crowd-pleasing combination of creamy, cheesy, and satisfying bites in every forkful. Perfect for lovers of baked pasta recipes, this dish is destined to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 450 grams ground beef or Italian sausage
- 700 milliliters tomato sauce
- 400 grams diced tomatoes, canned
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 100 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the 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 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta and the prepared sauce. Mix well to coat all the pasta evenly.
Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray. Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the dish.
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese over the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and spread it evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with chopped fresh basil, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious Penne Pasta Casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4218 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 200.6 g | 257% | |
| Saturated Fat | 82.8 g | 414% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 556 mg | 185% | |
| Sodium | 6991 mg | 304% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 388.9 g | 141% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.6 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.0 g | ||
| Protein | 225.2 g | 450% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2782 mg | 214% | |
| Iron | 30.3 mg | 168% | |
| Potassium | 2958 mg | 63% | |
*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.
