Ingredients
- 340 g penne pasta
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a baking dish lightly.
- Cook penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for a few minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Layer half the pasta in the baking dish, followed by half the meat sauce, dollops of the ricotta mixture, and a sprinkle of mozzarella.
- Repeat layers and finish with remaining mozzarella on top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for sausage for a spicy variation.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Use cottage cheese or cream cheese as a ricotta substitute.
- Cover with foil while baking to keep it from drying out, then uncover to brown the cheese.
- Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
