Saucy Penne and Three Cheese Bake
Dive into comfort food bliss with this Saucy Penne and Three Cheese Bake, a crowd-pleasing casserole that combines tender penne pasta with a rich, homemade tomato sauce and a trio of irresistibly melty cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The dish is layered to perfection, creating gooey pockets of cheesy goodness and bursting with Italian-inspired flavors from aromatic garlic, onions, and a blend of dried herbs like oregano and basil. Finished with a golden-brown topping and garnished with fresh parsley, this pasta bake is oven-baked to bubbling perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a potluck centerpiece, it’s easy to prepare and guarantees to satisfy everyone at the table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 800 grams crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 250 grams ricotta cheese
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 100 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon butter (for greasing the dish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a large baking dish with butter and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta 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 chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the prepared tomato sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread half of the sauced pasta into the greased baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the layer of pasta.
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta on top, followed by the rest of the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3381 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 140.2 g | 180% | |
| Saturated Fat | 68.6 g | 343% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 405 mg | 135% | |
| Sodium | 5768 mg | 251% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 373.5 g | 136% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.0 g | 104% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.8 g | ||
| Protein | 178.7 g | 357% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3784 mg | 291% | |
| Iron | 22.7 mg | 126% | |
| Potassium | 3351 mg | 71% | |
*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.
