Comforting penne with beef, tomato sauce, and a golden cheesy top, perfect for family dinners.
# 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 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil penne in salted water for 2 minutes less than the 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 sauté for 1 more minute.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Mix in tomato passata, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked penne to the skillet and stir thoroughly to coat with the beef and tomato mixture.
07 - Layer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheeses.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
