Easy Penne Pasta Bake (2026)

If you care about easy penne pasta bake, this guide gets straight to the point. We break down what actually matters, skip the fluff, and show you how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• This straightforward pasta bake recipe was a nice change from a regular pasta-and-sauce dinner, and a definite hit with all the boys in this house.
• Worth noting: if you're after a straightforward baked pasta recipe, this one took a little over an hour begin to finish (including oven baking time).
• Meanwhile, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat in large skillet, breaking up as needed, then drain and return to skillet.
• More importantly, stir in marinara, basil, oregano, and red pepper, then simmer meaty sauce mixture for 20 minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.

What to Know About Easy Penne Pasta Bake

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe It cooled off quite a bit this weekend in Chicago, so I started poking near my fridge and cabinets for comfort food concepts and came up with this Penne Pasta Bake, an almost (but not genuinely) lasagna dinner! A while ago I'd picked up various cheeses at ALDI with the concept of making a lasagna some day -- and this yummy Priano mozzarella has been discounted there for just $1.99 for a few weeks now.

I at no point actually made that lasagna, but luckily spotted this box of penne and jarred pasta sauce in my cupboard (hey, also from ALDI, lol)... so instead decided to scratch up a cheater penne pasta bake in this June 25, 2017 edition of Sunday Scratchups: Your weekly recipe from scratch near sale items or affordable ingredients. Here's how I did it.

How Easy Penne Pasta Bake Really Works

Penne Pasta Bake Ingredients 16 oz box penne pasta 1.5-2 lbs ground beef 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1.5 tablespoon minced garlic 24 oz jar prepared marinara sauce 1 teaspoon basil 1 teaspoon oregano ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper 15 oz tub ricotta 1 cup shredded Parmesan, divided 1.5 teaspoon parsley 8 oz sliced or shredded mozzarella Directions Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, drain, and reserve. While beef and sauce are simmering, mix ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan, and parsley in a large bowl until just combined.

Add cooked pasta and stir gently until pasta is coated with cheese mixture. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray.

Getting the Most From Easy Penne Pasta Bake

Remember that spread your pasta/cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread the beef/sauce mixture evenly over the top, then top with mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbling.

Let your pasta bake rest for a few minutes before slicing, and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. This straightforward pasta bake is kind of like lasagna... but it's not!

Tips That Make a Difference

As a rule, i don't frequently apply jarred pasta sauce any more, but this was juuuust fine when doctored up for our cheater not-lasagna purposes right now. Penne Pasta Bake is a straightforward comfort food cool weather recipe with plenty of the flavor of lasagna, but it lacks the same layered texture (and of course falls apart more simply when you serve it).

And, it's pretty darn solid in a cheese filled comfort food kind of method. This hearty penne pasta bake recipe should serve eight, and reheats  quite well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In short, it should also freeze well if you wish to pop some individual servings into your freezer for later. Penne Pasta Bake, printable recipe Save Recipe!

And, it's pretty darn solid in a cheese filled comfort food kind of method! Worth noting: stir in marinara, basil, oregano, and red pepper, then simmer meaty sauce mixture for 20 minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.

Is Easy Penne Pasta Bake Worth It?

While beef and sauce are simmering, mix ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan, and parsley in a large bowl until just combined. Add cooked pasta and stir gently until pasta is coated with cheese mixture.

Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray. More importantly, spread your pasta/cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread the beef/sauce mixture evenly over the top, then top with mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbling. Let your pasta bake rest for a few minutes before slicing, and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes This hearty penne pasta bake recipe should serve eight, and reheats well -- it should also freeze well if you wish to pop some individual servings into your freezer for later. Remember that find more recipe concepts with the Recipe Search. ...

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on easy penne pasta bake?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. A while ago I'd picked up various cheeses at ALDI with the concept of making a lasagna some day -- and this yummy Priano mozzarella has been discounted there for just $1.99 for a few weeks now.

Is it worth shopping around for easy penne pasta bake?

Usually yes. I at no point actually made that lasagna, but luckily spotted this box of penne and jarred pasta sauce in my cupboard (hey, also from ALDI, lol)... so instead decided to scratch up a cheater penne pasta bake in this June....

Smart Ways to Save More on Easy Penne Pasta Bake

• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.

Final Thoughts

Put these ideas to work and easy penne pasta bake gets a lot less expensive. Bookmark this page, check back for fresh deals, and let the savings do the talking.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.