Baked Penne Pasta Recipe
Penne pasta tossed with our original red sauce topped with meatballs and mozzarella cheese.
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Ingredients
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Pasta and Sauce
Meatballs
Toppings
Method
Pasta Preparation
- 1
Cook the Penne Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Prepare the Sauce
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Meatball Preparation
- 3
Make the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, then form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- 4
Cook the Meatballs
In a large skillet over medium heat, add a little oil and cook the meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Assembly and Baking
- 5
Combine Pasta and Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the prepared red sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- 6
Layer in Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Top with half of the cooked meatballs, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining pasta, meatballs, and top with the remaining mozzarella.
- 7
Bake
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- 8
Garnish and Serve
Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Serve warm.
