Penne with Cheesy Meat Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne with Cheesy Meat Sauce recipe, a hearty dish that marries perfectly al dente pasta with a rich, creamy tomato-based meat sauce. Featuring tender ground beef, aromatic garlic and onion, and a luscious blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, every bite is bursting with flavor. Infused with dried oregano and basil for a touch of Italian flair, the sauce reaches velvety perfection with a splash of heavy cream. Quick to prepare in just 45 minutes, this family-friendly pasta dish offers a one-pan finish for effortless cleanup. Serve it bubbling hot, garnished with fresh parsley, for a meal that’s sure to satisfy both weeknight cravings and weekend gatherings. Perfect for fans of cheesy pasta recipes, Italian-inspired cuisine, and hearty comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz Penne pasta
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 large Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Once the sauce has thickened slightly, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the cheese to melt and incorporate fully into the sauce.

Step 7

Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss until the pasta is fully coated.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes over low heat until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2200.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4080.5

Total Fat 194.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 82.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 569.1mg	0%
Sodium 3925.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 406.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.4g	0%
Total Sugars 45.5g
Protein 186.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1566.2mg	0%
Iron 33.3mg	0%
Potassium 5351.8mg	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: 42.4%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 39.5%