Description
A comforting baked penne pasta dish layered with flavorful ground beef, Italian seasoning, rich marinara sauce, and creamy ricotta, finished with a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 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 prepare for baking the dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water 1-2 minutes less than al dente, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Heat a little olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Crumble the beef as it cooks and season with kosher salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning until beef is fully cooked and onions are soft.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the beef. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir well to coat everything evenly with sauce.
- Add Cheeses and Bake: Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta mixture, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Broil for Crispiness: For a golden, crispy cheese topping, broil the baked penne for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- This dish freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to modify for dietary needs.
- Substitute ground turkey for leaner meat option.
- Adding fresh basil or red pepper flakes can enhance the flavor further.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
