Description
An easy, stress-free baked penne pasta dish featuring a rich marinara sauce and a golden, melty mozzarella topping. Perfect for dinner parties, meal prep, or busy weeknights, this recipe feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound penne rigate
- Water and salt (for boiling pasta)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28-ounce) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente (slightly undercooked), then drain and set aside. Do not rinse.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize.
- Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Combine the drained pasta with the sauce in the skillet, stirring to coat evenly. If too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta initially as it will continue to cook in the oven. Shred your own mozzarella for better melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set. For a lighter version, use part-skim mozzarella and add vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: baked penne, mozzarella pasta, dinner party recipe, easy pasta, comfort food, make-ahead dinner, Italian baking