Episode 69 – Baked Penne Pasta
Ingredients
16 oz penne pasta
24 oz marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
(you can also use mushrooms or lentils)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
15 oz ricotta cheese
(cottage cheese works too)
16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
(or Pecorino Romano)
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
(or dried basil if needed)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine:
cooked penne
ricotta cheese
half the mozzarella
half the parmesan
fresh basil
Toss gently until mixed.
Grease a baking dish. Layer:
half the meat sauce
half the pasta mixture
Repeat the layers.
Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
Garnish with extra basil before serving.
