Description
This delicious baked penne recipe features al dente penne pasta combined with savory ground beef, a rich marinara sauce, and a blend of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Baked to perfection with a golden cheesy crust, it's a comforting and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Meat
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
Seasonings & Sauces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F to ensure it’s ready when the pasta is prepared.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water for 1-2 minutes less than al dente, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: Heat a bit of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Crumble the beef while cooking and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until beef is fully browned and onions are softened.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture and pour in the marinara sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add Cheeses and Bake: Dollop ricotta cheese over the pasta mixture, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly on top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. For a crispier cheese topping, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat before serving.
- Use lean ground beef for less fat or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce during cooking.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding cheeses and baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
