Three Cheese Baked Penne
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Three Cheese Baked Penne recipe—an irresistible medley of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheeses baked to perfection. This easy-to-make dish features tender penne pasta coated in a rich marinara sauce infused with sautéed garlic and aromatic Italian seasoning, all layered with cheesy goodness and baked until golden and bubbly. With minimal prep and just 30 minutes of cooking time, this hearty casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 g penne pasta
- 700 ml marinara sauce
- 250 g ricotta cheese
- 200 g shredded mozzarella cheese
- 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 9x13-inch (22x33 cm) baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne pasta until it is al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Mince the garlic and sauté it for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, sautéed garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Add the cooked, drained penne pasta to the sauce mixture and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it out evenly. Finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese as the final layer.
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the baked penne from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3502 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 146.4 g | 188% | |
| Saturated Fat | 67.5 g | 338% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 395 mg | 132% | |
| Sodium | 6540 mg | 284% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 377.3 g | 137% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.7 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.7 g | ||
| Protein | 180.7 g | 361% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3636 mg | 280% | |
| Iron | 18.7 mg | 104% | |
| Potassium | 1203 mg | 26% | |
*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.
