Italian-Inspired Baked Penne Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

1. Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage or ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Break up the meat into crumbles as it cooks.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet with the meat. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
3. Add Marinara: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

1. Mix Cheeses: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, half of the provolone or fontina, garlic powder, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Layer the Casserole:
   • First Layer: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
   • Second Layer: Add half of the cooked penne pasta over the sauce.
   • Third Layer: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta.
   • Fourth Layer: Pour half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer.
   • Fifth Layer: Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.
3. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone or fontina cheese over the top of the casserole.

Step 4: Bake

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly browned.
3. Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil or parsley, if desired.

Tips for the Best Baked Penne

• Make-Ahead: You can prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. When ready to bake, simply add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
• Vegetarian Option: Skip the meat and add sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for a vegetarian version.
• Extra Creamy: For a richer texture, stir in a little heavy cream or mascarpone cheese into the ricotta mixture.

Conclusion

This Italian-Inspired Baked Penne is a delicious and satisfying dish that brings all the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine into your home. With layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s the perfect meal for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a potluck, or simply looking for a cozy weeknight meal, this baked penne will hit the spot every time. Buon appetito!