Baked Penne Recipe
Penne covered with your choice of homemade meat or marinara sauce & mozzarella baked to perfection.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Toppings
Method
Preparation
- 1
Cook the Pasta
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Prepare the Sauce
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
- 3
Brown the Meat
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- 4
Combine Sauce Ingredients
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5-10 minutes to combine the flavors.
Assembly and Baking
- 5
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 6
Mix Pasta and Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce, mixing until the pasta is evenly coated.
- 7
Layer in Baking Dish
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the rest of the mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
- 8
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, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- 9
Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.