Make Saucy Baked Penne Pasta in Advance
We enjoy Italian food in any shape or form. The sauces, pasta, seafood, and antipasti featuring all of the flavors of the Mediterranean are in one word, fabulous! On the practical side, Italian inspired baked entrees are great for make ahead meals. The flavors actually improve and become more robust if a pasta dish is assembled in advance, not to mention the time you'll save. I actually plan on making this saucy baked penne ahead of time and have it ready to put into the oven on a busy day.
Round Out the Menu with the Best Sides
Add a simple salad and a basket of warm garlic bread and it becomes a tasty family pleasing meal. You may also like to try Chicken Penne Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing and One Pot Ham and Penne Skillet. for a tasty and simple weekday meal.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Saucy Baked Penne Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups dry penne pasta
- 1 medium sweet onion chopped
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes more or less to taste
- salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 24-oz jars marinara sauce i.e. Bertolli Five Cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg beaten
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese or Mozzarella cheese
- 9 slices mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- On the stove top cook the penne pasta in salted water per the directions until al dente. Drain well then add to a large mixing bowl.
- Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, pepper flakes, salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to onions. Cook over medium-high until no pink remains. Drain excess fat from the pot.
- Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the marinara sauce. Simmer on low for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, mix in 2 tablespoon parsley.
- Pour sauce over cooked pasta reserve 1 cup for the top. Whisk together ricotta and egg. Add to pasta with 1 cup of shredded Italian cheese. Stir until well combined.
- Pour ½ pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Arrange 9 slices of cheese over pasta.
- Pour remaining pasta over cheese slices. Drizzle the top with the reserved 1 cup sauce. Spread evenly
- Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve hot garnished with reserved parsley.
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Kathy
Do you cook the pasta covered or uncovers? Thank you
Melissa
You cook this pasta the same way you would any other pasta. In a pasta pot or deep saucepan uncovered. If you mean while baking the casserole, follow the recipe for details there's no reason to cover it unless the cheese is over browning.
Erin
Such a comforting and easy dinner!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
Making this for dinner tonight (again!)
Stephanie @CopyKat.com
I could go for this in a heartbeat. I love casseroles like thee, they reheat so well.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
This will be a huge hit in my house!
Jennifer Farley
Looks so yummy! Love all that cheese on top!
Erin
Gotta love those layers!
Joanne
As grand as a lasagna but so much easier. Love the layering of the provolone too. Wonderful!
lc
this is so delicious!
Aysegul Sanford
We are big fans of Italian food as well and this recipe is surely a keeper.