Savor tender penne with seasoned beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheese in a warm, hearty casserole.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil penne pasta in salted water for two minutes less than the package directs, then drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon; cook until browned and fully cooked, 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, cooking 1 minute; add tomato passata, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper, then simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to coat it thoroughly with the sauce and beef mixture.
07 - Transfer half the pasta mixture into the baking dish, sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, layer the remaining pasta, then top with remaining cheeses.
08 - Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.
