Cheesy Baked Penne with Savory Beef and Homemade Tomato Sauce
This cheesy baked penne dish is a deliciously comforting meal that's perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Featuring a rich and flavorful homemade tomato sauce bursting with fresh ingredients, it combines hearty ground beef with perfectly cooked penne pasta and two types of cheese for an irresistibly gooey texture. The addition of green bell pepper gives the sauce a delightful crunch, and the option to spice things up with jalapeño peppers adds a kick for those who like a bit of heat. Preparing the sauce ahead of time allows the flavors to deepen, making every bite utterly satisfying. Pop it in the oven for a delightful finish, and you have a hearty dish that everyone will love!
8
Servings
400
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
1 lb (Fully cooked, crumbled)
Cooked penne pasta
4 cups (Cooked (about 3 cups uncooked))
Grated mozzarella cheese
2.5 cups (Divided)
Grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (Or to taste)
Olive oil
3-4 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Large onion
1 (Chopped)
Small green bell pepper
1 (Chopped)
Dried oregano
2 teaspoons
Dried basil
1 teaspoon
Dried chili pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (Optional)
Minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons
Tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can
Dry red wine
1/2 cup
Canned plum tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (Undrained and chopped)
Canned tomato sauce
1 (14 ounce) can
Bay leaf
1 large
Salt
To taste
Black pepper
To taste
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, dried oregano, basil, and chili flakes (if using). Sauté for about 5 minutes, adding the minced garlic in the last 2 minutes to prevent burning.
2
Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for an additional minute to meld the flavors.
3
Pour in the red wine, plum tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer (uncovered) for about 1-1/2 hours, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to develop.
4
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf and let the sauce cool. You can refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for longer storage.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a medium casserole dish or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with a bit of olive oil.
6
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
7
Add approximately 5 cups of your prepared tomato sauce to the skillet with the ground beef, cooking for another 15-20 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
8
Incorporate 1-1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese into the meat sauce, mixing well to combine and create a melty mixture.
9
Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and cheese.
10
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until heated through.
12
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and an additional 1/2 cup (or more) of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
13
Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
20
Fat
40
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Baked Penne with Savory Beef?
It is a comforting baked pasta dish featuring a rich homemade tomato sauce, ground beef, penne, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
How long does the homemade tomato sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for about 1-1/2 hours to allow the flavors to develop and the texture to thicken.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the dish.
What types of cheese are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2.5 cups of grated mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Can I make the tomato sauce in advance?
Yes, the sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
What size baking dish should I use?
You should use a medium casserole dish or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef.
Should I drain the canned plum tomatoes?
No, the plum tomatoes should be used undrained and chopped.
What kind of wine is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe recommends using 1/2 cup of dry red wine.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Add the minced garlic during the last 2 minutes of sautéing the onions and peppers.
Is there a spicy option for this recipe?
Yes, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of dried chili pepper flakes or jalapeño peppers for extra heat.
How much cooked pasta do I need?
You will need 4 cups of cooked penne, which is about 3 cups of uncooked pasta.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be removed from the sauce after simmering and before assembly.
How long is the initial baking time?
The pasta mixture should bake for 20 minutes until heated through.
How long do I bake the dish after adding the cheese topping?
Bake for an additional 5-8 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
What is the protein content of this meal?
There are 20 grams of protein per serving.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe requires one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes one large chopped onion and one small chopped green bell pepper.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 40 grams of carbohydrates.
How do I prepare the ground beef?
Brown the ground beef in a skillet, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked, then drain the excess fat.
When do I add the mozzarella cheese?
Incorporate 1-1/2 cups into the meat sauce before mixing with pasta, and use the remaining 1/2 cup or more for the topping.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
The recipe calls for dried oregano and basil, but you can substitute fresh if you adjust the quantities (typically using three times more fresh than dried).
What is the role of the tomato sauce in addition to the tomatoes?
One 14-ounce can of tomato sauce is added to provide a smooth, consistent base for the chunky plum tomatoes.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing and a bit more for greasing the baking dish.
How much dried oregano is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried oregano.
Is the chili pepper flake mandatory?
No, the 1/4 teaspoon of dried chili pepper flakes is optional.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While penne is recommended, you could use similar shapes like rigatoni or ziti.