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Baked Penne

A cozy and family-friendly baked penne pasta dish with layers of cheese, marinara sauce, and optional ground meat or veggies that guarantees seconds.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 1 box box of penne Can substitute with rigatoni or spiral pasta.
  • 2 cups your favorite tomato sauce Jarred or homemade.
Cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese Can substitute with cottage cheese.
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese Can substitute with cheddar or provolone.
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese For topping.
Meat (Optional)
  • 1 pound ground sausage or beef Browned and drained.
Vegetables (Optional)
  • 1 cup spinach or chopped mushrooms Added for extra flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook penne according to package instructions until tender, then drain.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked penne, ricotta, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and browned meat if using. Mix well.
  4. Layer the mixture in a baking dish, topping with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Baking
  1. Cover with foil (sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking) and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbling and golden.
  3. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For optimal results, undercook the pasta slightly and let the bake rest after cooking. Leftovers taste even better the next day.