Hearty casserole featuring tender penne, savory beef, rich tomato sauce, and bubbly golden cheese.
# 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 (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil penne in salted water, cooking 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it up. Cook 6–8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato passata, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked penne to the skillet, stirring to fully coat with sauce and beef mixture.
07 - Place half the pasta mixture in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining cheeses.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Let bake cool for 5 minutes to settle before serving.
