Penne Casserole

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this hearty and comforting Penne Casserole, a crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish that combines tender penne, savory ground beef, and a rich, homemade tomato sauce. Layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty parmesan, this casserole bakes to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour! Infused with aromatic Italian seasoning, garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes, every bite bursts with flavor. Perfect for feeding a family or serving at a dinner party, this recipe is easy to prepare and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for leftovers. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness, and get ready to indulge in layers of cheesy, saucy goodness!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams penne pasta
• 450 grams ground beef
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 800 grams (canned) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1.5 teaspoons (divided) salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 300 grams, shredded mozzarella cheese
• 50 grams, grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional for garnish) fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a light coating of olive oil or nonstick spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne pasta, and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Combine the cooked pasta and sauce in a large bowl, mixing until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by half the grated parmesan cheese.

Step 8

Layer the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2300.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4382.9

Total Fat 194.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 80.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g
Cholesterol 538.1mg	0%
Sodium 6354.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 439.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.1g	0%
Total Sugars 37.8g
Protein 236.0g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 2799.8mg	0%
Iron 34.4mg	0%
Potassium 4722.7mg	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: 39.3%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 39.5%