Description
A comforting and flavorful baked penne pasta dish featuring lean ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses baked to perfection with a crispy golden top. Perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
Seasonings and Cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Olive oil, for cooking (about 1-2 tablespoons)
- Black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for 1-2 minutes less than al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook beef mixture: Heat a little olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Crumble the beef and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and onions are softened.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained penne to the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir well to coat everything evenly with sauce.
- Add cheeses: Dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta in the skillet. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the dish: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. For a crispy golden cheese top, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve the baked penne hot.
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 before reheating.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with plant-based protein and ensure cheese is vegetarian friendly.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting performance.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the cooked beef and pasta mixture to a baking dish before adding cheeses and baking.
