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A cheesy baked penne dinner, bubbling hot from the oven.

Classic Cheesy Baked Penne Dinner

This classic cheesy baked penne dinner combines al dente penne pasta with a rich meat sauce and a generous blend of mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheeses, baked until bubbly and golden brown. It's a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Oven-Safe Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound Penne Pasta cooked al dente
  • 1 pound Ground Meat beef, Italian sausage, or a mix
  • 1 medium Onion finely chopped
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 can (28-ounce) Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 can (15-ounce) Tomato Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Beef or Vegetable Broth
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
  • Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Provolone Cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • Olive Oil for sautéing
  • Fresh Parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Penne Preparation

  • Cook penne in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain without rinsing.

Sauce Creation

  • Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet, sauté onion until soft, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Brown the ground meat in the skillet, breaking it up and draining any excess fat.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, covered.

Assembly & Baking

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), then gently stir the cooked penne into the meat sauce.
  • Layer half of the pasta mixture in a 9x13-inch baking dish (or oven-safe skillet), sprinkle with half of the cheeses, then top with the remaining pasta and cheeses.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  • Let the baked penne rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the meat sauce while it simmers. You can also customize the cheese blend to your preference, experimenting with smoked gouda or fontina for a unique twist.