Savory penne, ground beef, tomato sauce, and golden cheese make this comfort casserole a hit for shared meals.
# Components:
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Cook penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes less than the package direction. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, break up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato passata, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to coat thoroughly in the sauce and beef mixture.
07 - Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Top with remaining pasta, then the rest of the cheeses.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
