Hearty penne, savory beef, tomato sauce, and golden cheese create a comforting dish for gatherings.
# 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 (or a blend of oregano, basil, thyme)
08 - 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions. 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. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until beef is browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato passata, dried Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if desired, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the beef and tomato sauce in the skillet. Stir until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Pour half the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture and finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
08 - Transfer to oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
