Delicious Baked Penne

Baked penne is a classic Italian-American dish that makes for a great side dish, antipasti, starter, snack, appetizer, antipasto, or hor d’oeuvre. This recipe is a hearty, satisfying, and flavorful option that combines the goodness of penne pasta with rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. With its easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, you can create a mouth-watering baked penne that is sure to please everyone

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Step 2: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then set aside
3. Step 3: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until translucent
4. Step 4: Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning
5. Step 5: Stir in the marinara sauce, dried basil, and dried oregano, and bring the sauce to a simmer
6. Step 6: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally
7. Step 7: In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, the simmered sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated
8. Step 8: In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, arrange half of the pasta mixture in the bottom of the dish
9. Step 9: Sprinkle with half of the grated mozzarella cheese and half of the grated parmesan cheese
10. Step 10: Repeat the layers, starting with the remaining pasta mixture, then the remaining mozzarella cheese, and finally the remaining parmesan cheese
11. Step 11: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes
12. Step 12: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly

Chef’s Tip: To ensure the baked penne is golden brown on top, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes after removing the foil, watching carefully to prevent burning

Prep: | Cook: | Servings: 8