Quick and Easy Baked Penne
A simplified version of the classic baked penne recipe that can be whipped up in no time for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of penne pasta
- 1 jar of your favorite tomato pasta sauce
- 1 pound of ground beef turkey, or a vegetarian substitute
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the penne pasta according to package directions, aiming for an al-dente texture.
- In a separate pan, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent.
- Add the choice of meat or vegetarian substitute, cooking until browned.
- Stir in the pasta sauce, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer half of the cooked penne over the sauce, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top of the pasta.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining penne and cheeses.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, use a mix of sautéed vegetables instead of meat.
- To add more flavor, incorporate fresh herbs like basil or oregano into the sauce.
- Serve with a side salad and warm bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 34gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 436mgPotassium: 417mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 325IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 292mgIron: 3mg
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