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Close-up of cheesy baked penne pasta on a marble surface.

Easy Cheesy Baked Penne

A comforting baked pasta dish layered with rich meat sauce and cheesy goodness, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 850
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb Penne Pasta
Meat
  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
Vegetables
  • 1 large Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
Sauces
  • 24 oz Marinara Sauce
  • 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes undrained can
Seasonings
  • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon Salt plus more for pasta water
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
Cheese
  • 15 oz Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
  • 4 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese divided
  • 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving
Herbs & Oils
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, sauté onion in olive oil until translucent, add garlic and cook 1 minute. Brown ground beef, then add marinara, diced tomatoes, seasonings, and simmer 15-20 minutes.
  3. Mix ricotta, 2 cups of mozzarella, and Parmesan in a bowl. Layer half of pasta with sauce in a baking dish, dollop with cheese mixture, then top with remaining pasta and sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
  4. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest 10-15 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve with extra Parmesan.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with sautéed vegetables or plant-based protein.