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A wooden spoon scooping penne pasta bake from a casserole dish.
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Penne Pasta Bake

This Penne Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious recipe that combines cooked penne pasta with a rich, beefy marinara sauce, and a cheesy topping. Baked until bubbly and golden, the result is a satisfying and hearty meal that's perfect for gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 504kcal
Author Sharon Rhodes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups dry penne noodles
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tbsp butter
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 4 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 25 oz. jar marinara sauce
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese *we like a combo of parmesan and mozzarella

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 375° and lightly grease an 8x11 or 9x13 casserole dish.
  • Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and then cook the pasta for 10 minutes. You want the noodles to be slightly undercooked as they will soften further in the oven. Drain the noodles, leave them in the strainer, and set them aside.
  • While the pasta is cooking, warm the olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onions, season them with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and cook them until they have softened - about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for another minute.
  • Add the ground beef to the pot and cook it through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks and browns,
  • Then, add the marinara sauce to the pot and stir. Sprinkle in the parsley and stir again. Let the sauce simmer for another five minutes on low heat, stirring a few times. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
  • Next, stir in the cooked pasta. Mix until the noodles are coated.
  • Then, pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the top with the shredded cheese. Cover the dish with foil.
  • Finally, bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. If you like a crispy top leave the foil off for the last 5 minutes of baking or turn the oven to broil to crisp up the cheese.
  • Remove from the oven and let the dish sit for five minutes, then serve warm.

Video

Notes

Storage and reheating tips

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Cover the dish when you reheat it to prevent it from drying out.

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 430IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 175mg | Iron: 3mg