Baked penne is a classic Italian-American dish that makes for a great side dish or appetizer. It is a perfect combination of al dente penne pasta, rich tomato sauce, and creamy melted mozzarella cheese. This recipe serves 8 and can be prepared in under an hour, making it a great option for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F
- Step 2: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then set aside
- Step 3: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the chopped onion until translucent
- Step 4: Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant
- Step 5: Stir in the marinara sauce, dried basil, and dried oregano, and bring to a simmer
- Step 6: In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, the marinara sauce mixture, and a pinch of salt and pepper
- Step 7: In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, arrange half of the penne pasta mixture in the bottom of the dish
- Step 8: Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan cheese
- Step 9: Repeat the layers, starting with the remaining penne pasta mixture, then the remaining mozzarella cheese, and finally the remaining parmesan cheese
- Step 10: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly
Chef’s Tip: To prevent the cheese from burning, make sure to cover the dish with foil for the first 25 minutes of baking, and then remove it to allow the top to brown slightly
Prep: | Cook: | Servings: 8
