Description
A comforting Italian-American baked penne pasta layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese, perfect for a hearty family dinner or make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the penne dish.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Brown Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion to the skillet with the meat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked penne with the meat sauce and ricotta cheese until well combined.
- Layer the Dish: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and then cover with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the dish is bubbly and the cheese has turned golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Let the baked penne rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving for best results.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if desired.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef or Italian sausage for a leaner version.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen before baking.
- Let the baked penne sit for 5–10 minutes after baking for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
