Description
Cheesy Baked Penne with Meat Sauce
This ultra-cheesy, comforting baked pasta dish is packed with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted mozzarella—every bite is pure bliss!
Ingredients:
For the Pasta:
12 oz penne pasta
1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
For the Meat Sauce:
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Cheese Mixture:
1 cup ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
½ tsp garlic powder
For Topping:
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef until browned. Add garlic and onion, cooking until softened. Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Mix the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and garlic powder until smooth.
Assemble the Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta, half of the meat sauce, and dollops of ricotta mixture. Repeat layers and top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Broil for 2 minutes for an extra crispy top.
Serve & Enjoy: Let it rest for 5 minutes, then dig in! Serve with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Pro Tip: For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream to the meat sauce before layering!
