Savory baked penne with ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and a golden cheese crust. Perfect for cozy shared meals.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 ounces penne pasta
→ Meat
02 - 1.1 pounds ground beef
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 24 ounces tomato passata or marinara sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
08 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato passata or marinara, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add the drained penne to the beef and sauce mixture. Stir until all pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Spoon half the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Repeat with remaining pasta mixture and cheese.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
