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A cheesy baked penne dinner, bubbling hot from the oven.

Classic Cheesy Baked Penne Dinner

This classic cheesy baked penne dinner features a rich meat sauce, al dente penne pasta, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, baked until bubbly and golden.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • Large Pot
  • Large Bowl
  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish

Ingredients
  

Meat & Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef, pork, or mix (or ground turkey/sausage for variation)
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pasta & Cheese

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook ground meat until browned, draining excess grease.
  • Add diced onion and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for one minute.

Cooking

  • Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper; simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.
  • While sauce simmers, cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine cooked penne with half the meat sauce, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and optional ricotta in a large bowl.

Assembly & Baking

  • Spread a thin layer of remaining meat sauce in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Layer half of the penne mixture over the sauce, sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella, then top with remaining penne mixture and sauce.
  • Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden; broil for an extra golden crust if desired.
  • Let rest for 5-10 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Notes

For a richer flavor, allow the sauce to simmer longer. If you prefer a less cheesy dish, you can reduce the amount of mozzarella. This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked later; simply cover and refrigerate, then add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.