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Baked Penne with Ground Beef, Ricotta, and Mozzarella Recipe

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3.9 from 2 reviews

This hearty Baked Penne recipe combines tender pasta with savory ground beef, flavorful marinara sauce, and a rich blend of cheeses. Baked until bubbly and golden, it's a comforting and easy-to-make meal perfect for family dinners.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound penne pasta

Meat & Veggies

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic (grated or minced)

Seasonings & Sauces

  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cheeses

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F to get it ready for baking the pasta mixture later.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water, cooking it 1-2 minutes less than the package's al dente time. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
  3. Cook Meat and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Crumble the beef and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned and onions soften.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour in the marinara sauce, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
  5. Add Cheeses: Dollop ricotta cheese in small spoonfuls over the pasta mixture. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  6. Bake: Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes to melt the cheeses and blend flavors. For a golden crispy cheese crust, broil on high for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve the baked penne hot for a delicious, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the pasta to a separate baking dish.
  • Cooking pasta slightly under al dente prevents it from becoming mushy after baking.
  • Broiling is optional but adds a delightful crispy cheese top.
  • Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef for a lighter version.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/baked-penne-with-ground-beef-ricotta-and-mozzarella-recipe/