Hearty penne, savory beef, tomato sauce and cheese bake together for a comforting family-style casserole.
# The Ingredients 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 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish (9x13 in).
02 - Boil penne pasta in a large pot of salted water, cooking for 2 minutes less than indicated on the package. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until fully browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Incorporate tomato passata, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked penne to the beef and sauce mixture in the skillet; stir thoroughly to coat.
07 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add remaining pasta mixture and finish with the rest of the cheeses.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbling on top.
09 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before portioning and serving.
