Baked penne, beef, and tomato sauce topped with golden cheese, ideal for hearty meals with family.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz penne pasta
→ Meats
02 - 1.1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 24 oz tomato passata or marinara sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
08 - 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Cook penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute longer.
04 - Add ground beef and break into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until beef is browned and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in tomato passata or marinara, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat all pasta with the beef and tomato sauce.
07 - Transfer half the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the rest of the cheese.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before portioning and serving.
