Best Baked Penne Recipes

BAKED PENNE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat oil in a large, deep skillet. Place sausage and onion in the skillet and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain excess fat. Pour in wine, and cook for 1 minute, stirring, to deglaze the pan. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Toss with cooked pasta, and place in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle top with mozzarella.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

BAKED PENNE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.
• In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined.
• Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

BAKED PENNE PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook penne according to package directions until almost cooked. Preheat oven to 350*.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil, then add onion, garlic and mushrooms; stir fry until onion is translucent. Remove to a plate.
• Crumble beef in skillet; add basil, thyme, parsley, black pepper and oregano. Cook through; drain.
• Add onion mixture and spaghetti sauce to beef; cook on low, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minute Stir in penne.
• Put mixture in a shallow dish (13x9x2)and cover with shredded cheese. Bake for 30-45 minute Let stand 5 minute before serving.

CHEESY SPINACH BAKED PENNE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Mist a 2 to 2 1/2-quart rectangular or oval baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions for al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a medium pot set over medium heat. Add the fennel seeds and garlic and cook until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil sprig, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, lowering the heat if the sauce bubbles too vigorously, until the sauce has thickened slightly, the flavors have blended together and the raw tomato taste has cooked out, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the basil and season with additional salt and pepper. Pour over the cooked pasta and toss well to coat. Add the cubed mozzarella and transfer half the pasta to the prepared baking dish.
• Put the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Add the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan and pulse two to three times. Combine half the cottage cheese mixture with the spinach and mix to break up the spinach. Drop in spoonfuls over the pasta in the baking dish. Top the spinach layer with the rest of the pasta and then the remaining cottage cheese mixture.
• Bake until bubbly and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes, and then scatter the torn basil over the top.

BAKED PENNE WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare the penne rigate according to the package directions, minus 1 or 2 minutes of cooking time (see Cook's Note). Drain, then pour the pasta into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking pan.
• In a 4-quart saucepan, melt the butter on medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour until it's dissolved. Add the cream to the saucepan. Add the nutmeg, seasoned salt, and black pepper and whisk the mixture until it's warmed through.
• Reduce the heat to low, and add the mozzarella, Cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until you have a smooth cheese sauce.
• Pour the sauce over the pasta and top with the breadcrumbs.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top turns a golden brown.

BAKED PENNE WITH CHICKEN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400. Butter two shallow 2-quart baking dishes. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 3 minutes short of al dente; drain pasta, and return to pot.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook until opaque throughout, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Halve each piece lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise.
• In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt butter over medium. Add flour and garlic; cook, whisking, 1 minute. While whisking, gradually add milk; bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. Add mushrooms and tomatoes; cook 1 minute. Off heat, gradually stir in provolone and 1/2 cup Parmesan.
• Add chicken and pasta to pot; season with salt and pepper. Divide pasta mixture between baking dishes; sprinkle each with 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Bake, uncovered, until top is golden and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

FOUR-CHEESE BAKED PENNE

Steps:

• Cook penne according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, rosemary, pepper flakes and pepper. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; cool for 15 minutes., Preheat oven to 400°. Drain penne; add to sauce. Stir in cottage cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella and all of the ricotta. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella., Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

BAKED PENNE WITH GROUND BEEF AND TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce; heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat; add in onion, bell pepper, oregano, basil and chili flakes (if using) sauté for about 5 minutes (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes of cooking).
• Add in the tomato paste and stir for about 1 minute.
• Add in all remaining ingredients; bring to a boil and simmer (UNCOVERED) on low heat for about 1-1/2 hours.
• Season with salt and pepper then remove the bay leaf.
• At this point you can cool then refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a medium casserole dish (or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish).
• In a large skillet cook the ground beef until well browned, breaking up with a spoon until crumbled; drain fat.
• To the skillet add in about 5 cups prepared tomato sauce (more is okay, or just go ahead and use the whole amount of sauce if desired more sauce will never hurt lol!) cook for about 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat.
• Remove from heat and add in 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese; stir with wooden spoon to combine.
• Add in the cooked penne pasta; toss to combine with sauce and cheese.
• Transfer to baking dish.
• Bake for about 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese then about 1/2 cup (or more) mozzarella cheese, return to oven and cook 5-8 minutes more or until the cheese is melted.
• Delicious!

BAKED SAUSAGE PENNE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• In a large pot of boiling, salted water; cook the pasta just to al dente. You don't want it mushy, as it will cook more in the oven.
• While pasta is cooking, brown the italian sausage in a saute pan over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces.
• Drain any accumulated grease and discard.
• Add the marinara sauce, pesto, italian seasoning and chili flakes. Stir, and let simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 -6 minutes, until the sauce comes to a boil.
• Taste, and add salt, pepper, or more italian seasoning as necessary.
• Drain the cooked pasta, and place in a mixing bowl.
• Add the sauce mixture and 3 ounces of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
• Coat an 8 x 8 (or similar sized) baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place pasta mixture in the baking dish, spreading to fill the dish evenly.
• Top with the reaining cheeses.
• You could make ahead to this point, and refrigerate until you are ready to cook, but if so, your baking time will be longer.
• Bake, uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
• Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE BAKED PENNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
• Meanwhile, heat 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Drain.
• In large bowl, stir together sausage, ricotta cheese, garlic, dried basil, pepper flakes, salt, pepper and 2 cups of the pasta sauce. Add cooked pasta; toss gently. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups pasta sauce. Arrange mozzarella cheese slices over sauce.
• Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh basil.

BAKED PENNE WITH MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, wine or tomato juice, dried oregano, pepper and crushed red pepper. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown. Drain off fat. Stir tomato mixture into meat mixture in skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cooked pasta, and olives.
• Divide the pasta mixture among six 10 to 12 ounce individual casseroles. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. (Or spoon all of the pasta mixture into a 2-quart casserole. Bake, covered to 30 minutes). Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

BAKED PENNE AND SMOKED SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut sausage into 1/4-inch slices.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Add sausage; cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Combine soup and milk in a 13x9-inch baking dish. Stir in uncooked pasta, sausage, 1/2 cup French-fried onions, 1/2 cup cheese and peas. Cover baking dish tightly with foil.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and top with remaining 1 cup French-fried onions and 1/2 cup cheese. Bake for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

BAKED PENNE PASTA WITH WILD MUSHROOM RAGOûT

Steps:

• Place porcini in small bowl. Add 2 cups hot water and let soften 20 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove porcini. Reserve liquid. Coarsely chop porcini.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add button and shiitake mushrooms and sauté 5 minutes. Mix in porcini and reserved soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Simmer over medium-high heat 10 minutes.
• Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir constantly until golden, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Stir until sauce thickens and boils, about 3 minutes. Stir into mushroom mixture. Simmer 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and chives. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium-low heat before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain well. Return to pot. Add mushroom sauce and toss well to coat. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan over. Bake casserole until heated through and light golden, about 25 minutes.

BAKED PENNE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Place sausage and onion in a large, deep skillet.
• Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.
• Drain excess fat.
• Pour in wine, and cook for 1 minute, stirring, to deglaze the pan.
• Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
• Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Toss with cooked pasta, and place in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Sprinkle top with mozzarella.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

HAM & SWISS BAKED PENNE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Gradually stir in Swiss and Colby cheeses until melted. Add ham and pasta; toss to coat., Transfer to a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, mix topping ingredients; sprinkle over pasta. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 15-20 minutes.

BAKED PENNE WITH MUSHROOMS, BACON AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook pasta as directed on package. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; return to stockpot. Add cream; toss. Set aside.
• Spray 12-inch sauté pan or skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp. With slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan to plate; set aside.
• Add onions, salt and pepper to bacon drippings in pan; cook and stir 4 to 7 minutes or until translucent. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 10 minutes longer or until browned and liquid evaporates. Add spinach and reserved pasta cooking water; cook and stir 1 minute.
• Pour mushroom mixture over pasta; toss to coat. Pour into baking dish. Top evenly with both cheeses. Cover dish tightly with foil.
• Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; top with reserved bacon. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer.

BAKED PENNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine first 4 ingredients in medium bowl; set aside. Brown meat with vegetables in large nonstick skillet. Stir in pasta sauce, cream cheese mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted. Add pasta; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 2-qt. casserole; top with remaining mozzarella. Cover.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 15 min.

BAKED PENNE WITH CHICKEN MEATBALLS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, mix bread crumbs and milk; let stand 5 minutes. Add egg, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the parsley, 2 finely chopped cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper; stir to combine. Add chicken; gently combine. Shape into 32 (1 1/4-inch) meatballs.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs in oil about 6 minutes, turning a few times to brown all sides. Add pasta sauce and spinach in batches; cook until sauce is hot and spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain penne as directed on package. Carefully add to pasta sauce and meatball mixture in skillet.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, 1 finely chopped clove garlic, pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoons each salt and pepper.
• In baking dish, pour half of the pasta mixture. Place half of the ricotta mixture in dollops over pasta. Spread remaining pasta mixture in baking dish; top with dollops of remaining ricotta. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CREAMY BAKED PENNE AND CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS (OAMC)

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a dutch oven over high heat. Stir in 1 tbsp salt and the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Drain and toss with 1 tbsp oil. Set aside.
• Wipe the pot dry, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil and set over medium-low heat until shimmering. Add the cremini mushrooms, onion, porcini mushrooms, and 1 tsp salt (VARIATION: No mushrooms. Add the artichokes, onion, and 1 tsp salt and cook until artichokes are lightly browned. Proceed to next step). Cover and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms have released their liquid, about 10 mintues. Uncover, increase the heat to medium-high, and continue to cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are dry and browned, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and thyme (VARIATION: no thyme, add lemon zest) and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the broth, wine, and cream.
• Add the chicken breasts (VARIATION: and add bay leaves), partially cover, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover completely, and cook until the thickest part of the chicken registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat (VARIATION: and discard bay leaves). Remove the chicken and set aside to cool; keep the sauce covered. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it into bite-sized pieces. Stir the shredded chicken and 1 cup of the cheese into the sauce with the cooked pasta until well combined (VARIATION: also stir in peas and lemon juice). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the remaning 1 cup cheese.
• TO STORE: Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month. (If frozen, the casserole must be thawed completely in the refrigerator, about 24 hours.).
• TO SERVE IF REFRIGERATED: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Unwrap the dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil that has been sprayed with vegetable spray (or use non-stick foil). Bake until the sauce is bubbling around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until hot throughout and browned on top, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Sprinkle with the parsley before serving.
• TO SERVE RIGHT AWAY: Bake the casserole in a 400-degree oven, uncovered, until the sauce is bubbling and the top is browned, 25 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with the parsley before serving.
• BAKE HALF, FREEZE HALF: Divide between two 8 by 8-inch casserole dishes or three 9 by 3-inch loaf pans and follow storage directions (above). To serve, follow directions above, reducing cooking time by 5 to 10 minutes.

BAKED PENNE WITH SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For the topping: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix together the panko, olive oil and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Heat a large ovenproof braiser over medium heat. Melt the butter in the braiser and add the shallots, pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and stir to cook out some of the raw flour taste, about 2 minutes. Slowly begin to add the milk, adding a small amount at a time and whisking after each addition, until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the goat cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and the squash. Season with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season well with salt. Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes (it should still be very firm). Using a pasta spider, remove the pasta directly to the sauce but do not yet stir it in. Sprinkle the plain pasta with the Parmesan and stir to combine. Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta water and cook for 30 seconds. Use the pasta spider to drain well, then add to the pasta. Stir to evenly distribute. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and the panko mixture. Bake until bubbly all over, 20 to 25 minutes. Switch to the broiler and broil for 5 minutes to brown the top, if desired.