Comforting casserole with penne pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheesy topping for family meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 ounces penne pasta
→ Meats
02 - 1.1 pounds ground beef
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 24 ounces tomato passata or marinara sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
08 - ½ teaspoon 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 tablespoons olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil penne pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chopped onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until fully browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Mix in tomato passata, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and mix well to coat every piece with the sauce and beef.
07 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over it. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with remaining cheeses.
08 - Place dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Allow the bake to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
