Savory Baked Penne with Hearty Meat Sauce
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Savory Baked Penne with Hearty Meat Sauce. This delightful dish combines perfectly cooked penne pasta with a robust meat sauce that features ground beef, ripe olives, and a blend of aromatic herbs. Topped off with melted mozzarella cheese, this baked penne is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends. Serve it alongside a fresh salad and warm bread for a complete meal that will leave everyone satisfied.
6
Servings
533
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry penne pasta
8 ounces (uncooked)
diced tomatoes
1 can (14 ounces) (undrained)
tomato paste
1/3 cup (none)
dry red wine or tomato juice
1/4 cup (none)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
lean ground beef
1 lb (none)
chopped onion
1/2 cup (none)
sliced pitted ripe olives
1/4 cup (none)
shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
3
In a food processor or blender, combine the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dry red wine (or tomato juice), dried oregano, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and set aside.
4
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is browned and onions are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
5
Stir the prepared tomato mixture into the meat mixture in the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
6
Incorporate the cooked penne pasta and sliced olives into the meat sauce mixture, stirring until everything is well combined.
7
Divide the pasta mixture among six individual casseroles (10 to 12 ounces each) or transfer it into a 2-quart casserole dish.
8
Cover and bake in the oven for 15 minutes (or 30 minutes if using a larger dish).
9
Remove from the oven, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
35g
Carbs
26.7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Baked Penne with Hearty Meat Sauce?
It is a comforting baked pasta dish featuring penne, a robust meat sauce with ground beef and olives, and melted mozzarella cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What type of pasta is required?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of dry penne pasta.
How should the penne be cooked?
Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente and then drain well.
What goes into the blended tomato mixture?
Combine undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dry red wine or tomato juice, dried oregano, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I substitute the red wine?
Yes, you can use tomato juice as a substitute for the dry red wine.
What type of meat is used in the sauce?
One pound of lean ground beef is used.
How long do I cook the beef and onions?
Cook them in a large skillet for about 5 to 7 minutes until the meat is browned and onions are tender.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
When do I add the olives?
Incorporate the sliced olives into the meat sauce mixture along with the cooked penne pasta.
What kind of olives are used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of sliced pitted ripe olives.
Can I bake this in individual portions?
Yes, you can divide the mixture among six individual casseroles of 10 to 12 ounces each.
What size casserole dish is needed if not using individual ones?
You can use a 2-quart casserole dish.
How long is the initial baking time?
Bake covered for 15 minutes for individual dishes or 30 minutes for a larger casserole dish.
What cheese is used for the topping?
The topping uses 1/2 cup of shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese.
How is the cheese melted?
Sprinkle the cheese over the pasta and return it to the oven uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 533 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 26.7 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this dish?
This dish contains 3.3 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Are the diced tomatoes drained?
No, the 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes should be used undrained.
What herbs and spices provide the flavor?
Dried oregano, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes provide the primary seasoning.
Is this recipe spicy?
It contains 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, which adds a mild heat.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, let it cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven.
What side dishes are recommended?
It is recommended to serve this dish with a fresh salad and warm bread.
How much onion is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of chopped onion.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of tomato paste.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 11 ingredients in this recipe.
Is this considered an Italian-style dish?
Yes, it is tagged under Italian cuisine and features traditional Italian-style ingredients like penne, tomato sauce, and mozzarella.