Description
This Baked Penne recipe features tender penne pasta combined with a savory meat and marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and a cheesy mozzarella and Parmesan topping. Baked to bubbly perfection, it’s an ideal comforting Italian-American main course perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prepping ahead.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Meat
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure your baked penne doesn’t stick.
- Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside for combining later.
- Cook Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown Meat: Add ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Sauce and Season: Stir in marinara sauce, dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer the sauce mixture for 5 to 7 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce and ricotta cheese until well combined.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake Covered: Loosely cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to heat through and melt cheeses.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the baked penne to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta for a different texture or to stretch ingredients.
- Use a meatless marinara sauce to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.
- This baked penne freezes well; assemble ahead of time and bake when ready for an easy meal prep option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
