Kittencal's Layered Ground Beef Penne Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Kittencal's Layered Ground Beef Penne Casserole—a hearty baked pasta dish that’s as delicious as it is satisfying. This family-friendly recipe combines tender penne pasta layered with a rich, savory ground beef marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and ooey-gooey mozzarella for a cheesy, golden-brown finish. Seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic for a bold burst of flavor, this casserole is built for cozy weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings. With its beautiful layers and comforting aroma, it’s as visually inviting as it is easy to serve, while leftovers (if there are any!) reheat like a dream. Perfectly portioned for six servings, this make-ahead-friendly dish is sure to become your go-to baked pasta recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove excess grease if necessary.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 5

Pour in the marinara sauce, then stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, the egg, grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley. Mix until well blended.

Step 7

Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

Layer half of the cooked penne pasta over the sauce, then spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the pasta.

Step 9

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer, then add another layer of the meat sauce.

Step 10

Repeat the layers with the remaining penne, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce, finishing with a final layer of mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 11

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.

Step 12

Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2244.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4107.7

Total Fat 220.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 92.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 872.0mg	0%
Sodium 6136.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 310.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.1g	0%
Total Sugars 19.9g
Protein 233.7g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 3266.7mg	0%
Iron 23.9mg	0%
Potassium 2364.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.6%

Protein: 22.5%

Carbs: 29.9%