Baked Penne Recipe
Penne pasta tossed in meat sauce & ricotta cheese, then baked with mozzarella.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pasta and Sauce
Cheese Mixture
Topping
Method
Cooking Pasta and Sauce
- 1
Cook the Penne
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Make the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- 3
Add Tomatoes and Seasoning
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
Cheese Mixture Preparation
- 4
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Assembly and Baking
- 5
Combine Pasta and Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta and meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
- 6
Layer the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta and sauce mixture. Then, spread the ricotta cheese mixture over the top. Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture on top.
- 7
Add Toppings
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Finish with chopped fresh basil.
- 8
Bake
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.