Here’s a simple, cozy Italian-inspired baked pasta:
Penne
🍝 Italian-Inspired Baked Penne
🧂 Ingredients
- 2–3 cups penne pasta
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1/2 lb (250g) ground beef or chicken (optional)
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper
- 1–2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook pasta
- Boil penne until just al dente
- Drain and set aside
2. Make sauce
- Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil
- Add ground meat (if using) and cook until browned
- Stir in marinara sauce + seasoning
- Simmer 5–10 minutes
3. Combine
- Mix pasta with sauce
- Add half the mozzarella and parmesan
4. Bake
- Pour into baking dish
- Top with remaining cheese
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes
- Until bubbly and golden
5. Serve
- Rest 5 minutes before serving
- Top with fresh basil if available
⭐ Why it’s popular
- Comforting and cheesy
- Easy one-dish meal
- Great for families and meal prep
- Classic Italian-American flavor
🔥 Variations
- Creamy version (add cream or béchamel)
- Veggie version (mushrooms, spinach, peppers)
- Spicy version (chili flakes)
- Chicken Alfredo baked penne
🧾 Bottom line
This is a simple baked pasta casserole inspired by Italian flavors—cheesy, hearty, and easy to customize.
If you want, I can make:
- a restaurant-style version with béchamel sauce
- or a low-calorie high-protein version 👍
