Hearty casserole featuring penne pasta, seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheese topping.
# What You 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
08 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Oils
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Boil penne in salted water for 2 minutes less than 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 garlic and cook an additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it apart. Cook until no longer pink and well browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute. Add tomato passata, dried herbs, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Mix cooked pasta into the skillet with sauce and beef, stirring until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add remaining pasta mixture, then top with remaining cheeses.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
