Best Cheesy Penne Recipes

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.

CHEESY SAUSAGE AND PENNE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• While pasta is cooking, melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, 1/2 tea-spoon Italian seasoning, the pepper and garlic. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in Italian cheese blend and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese until melted.
• Gently stir pasta and sausage into cheese sauce. Pour into ungreased 3-quart casserole. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

CHEESY BACON PENNE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, saute garlic in butter for 1 minute. Stir in flour and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in 2 cups of cheese until melted. Remove from the heat. , Drain pasta; add pasta and 1/3 cup bacon to cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese and bacon. , Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY SAUSAGE PENNE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes. , Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and onions., In a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish, layer half of the pasta and sausage mixture. Dollop with half the cream cheese mixture; sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers. , Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 30-35 minutes.

CHEESY PENNE PASTA AND SMOKED SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, brown sausage in a skillet and drain. (I skipped this step since I was using fully cooked turkey smoked sausage and wouldn't have any fat to render).
• In a large bowl, combine milk and soup.
• Stir in 1/2 cup onions, 1/4 cup of each cheese, and sausage.
• Drain pasta and stir into sausage mixture.
• Transfer to a greased 13 x 9 baking dish.
• Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.
• Sprinkle with remaining onions and cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, 3-5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY HAM-PENNE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Place the cooked penne and the ham into a large bowl; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
• Add in mustard powder, black pepper, seasoned salt and cayenne pepper and onion, stir and cook for about 4 minutes.
• Add in garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add in flour and mix continously for 2 minutes.
• Slowly add in the cream and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese; cook stirring over medium-low heat until bubbly.
• Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese until completely melted.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and ham; toss until well combined.
• Transfer to a greased baking dish.
• Sprinkle the top with about 1/3 cup or more Parmesan cheese.
• Cover and bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

PENNE PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND CHEESY GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions.
• In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add onion, garlic, Italian seasoning mix and red pepper flakes, if using. Sir frequently and cook until the onions are soft and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add sausage and cook for 1 minute. Add can of crushed tomatoes, stirring all the ingredients together to combine. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and mix well.
• Drain the pasta and add directly to the skillet with the sauce Toss the pasta to coat with the sauce. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter and garnish with basil leaves. Serve with the cheesy garlic bread.
• For the cheesy garlic bread:
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Sprinkle cheese and Italian seasoning over garlic bread half. Place on tinfoil lined baking sheet and cook in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bread is warmed through. Slice and serve.
• Use the leftover garlic bread from this recipe to make Garlic Bread Pizza.

CHEESY TEX MEX CHICKEN PENNE

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, cook chicken in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 2 min. Add salsa, peppers and corn; stir. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta. Add to chicken mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 1 min. or until cheese is melted.

CHEESY BAKED PENNE WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Cook cauliflower in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using large sieve, transfer cauliflower to bowl. Add tomatoes to pot; cook 1 minute. Remove from water; peel and dice tomatoes. Reserve pot of water.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower; sauté until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and green onions. Cook 1 minute to blend flavors. Remove from heat. Season with coarse salt and pepper.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in cream. Cook until sauce thickens, whisking occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add 2 cups Comté cheese; whisk until melted and sauce is smooth. Whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan, then crème fraîche and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Return reserved pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain; return pasta to same pot. Stir in cauliflower mixture and sauce.
• Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon in half of pasta mixture; sprinkle with 1/2 cup Comté cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture and 1/2 cup Comté cheese. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in small skillet. Add breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Remove from heat; mix in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Sprinkle crumbs over pasta. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pasta uncovered until heated through and bubbling, about 35 minutes.
• *Sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

INSTANT POT CHEESY PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Pour chicken broth, garlic, salt, pepper, and penne pasta into Instant Pot. Secure the lid, switch the knob to "sealing" and cook on "manual" for 5 minutes.
• When it is done cooking, let the pot do a natural release for 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and pour in evaporated milk and marinara sauce. Stir the sauce into the pasta so that all the pasta is covered evenly.
• Add in Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
• Serve immediately and top with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.

CHEESY CHICKEN PENNE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water and cook penne according to directions on box.
• Meanwhile, chop the thawed chicken into bite-size strips. Set aside.
• When the penne is done, drain and set aside; heat the pot with the olive oil and let the oil get really hot.
• Add just under 1 TBSP of fresh minced garlic and add basil and onion. Stir around a bit and add the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and then sprinkle a lot of garlic salt. Add a little ground black pepper.
• Stir fry until chicken is no longer pink, around 5 minutes; do not overcook, as the chicken will get tough!
• Spoon the chicken into the bottom of a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray; glass looks really pretty. Spread penne evenly over that.
• Pour marinara sauce over all and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over that. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over everything, it should just be a thin layer.
• Bake at 300°F until cheese melts, about 9-15 minutes.

CHEESY PENNE PASTA WITH PEAS

Steps:

• 1. Cook pasta according to directions on box, adding the peas during the last 3-5 minutes of cooking.
• 2. Drain pasta and peas.
• 3. Return pasta and peas to cooking pot and add the butter, milk, and cheeses. Stir over low heat until cheese is melted.

PENNE WITH CHEESY MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook penne until done; rinse and drain.
• Meanwhile, brown ground beef in large skillet; remove from pan and drain. In same skillet, sauté garlic (and mush rooms) in olive oil. Return meat to skillet with mush rooms over low heat; add tomato sauce, pepper, and basil.
• Dissolve cornstarch in 3 tablespoons milk; mix in remaining milk. Add to meat and stir over low heat until slightly thickened. Add processed cheese slices and stir until melted. Toss with hot pasta. Sprinkle generously with parmesan.
• You can replace the penne with fusilli or elbow macaroni. Use just about any kind of cheese you want. Tex mex worked very well.

CHEESY CHICKEN & MUSHROOM PENNE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir chicken, mushrooms and basil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. or until chicken is lightly browned. Stir in pasta sauce and tomatoes; bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir until melted.
• Drain pasta. Add to chicken mixture with 1/2 cup mozzarella; mix well. Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining cheeses; bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

CHEESY SAUSAGE PENNE

Steps:

• in a large skillet, cook the sausage and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain fat, stir in spaghetti sauce, bring to a boil, reduce heat cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• cook pasta according to package directions. drain. meanwhile in a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and sour cream and onions.
• in a greased shallow 3-qt baking dish, layer half of the pasta and sausage mixture. dollop with half of the cream cheese mixture, sprinkle with half of the cheddar cheese, repeat layers.
• bake uncovered at 350*F for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly.

CHEESY PENNE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
• Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepot, and saute garlic and onion until the onions become translucent, being careful not to burn them. Add crushed tomatoes, fresh parsley, marjoram and thyme. Create a slurry by gradually whisking cornstarch into 1/2 cup water. Add the slurry to the sauce to thicken and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer about 20 minutes, checking periodically to make sure the sauce doesn't burn.
• While the sauce is cooking, boil the penne until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain through a colander and set aside.
• Remove the sauce from the heat, and whisk in butter and cream cheese. Add the boiled pasta to the sauce and gently fold in along with the diced tomatoes. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley.

CHEESY CHICKEN PENNE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta as directed on package. Cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium high heat 3 minutes. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomatoes; bring to boil. Simmer on low heat 3 minutes or until chicken done.
• Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozarella. Spoon into 2 qt casserole or 8 inch square baking dish.
• Bake 20 minutes; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 minutes or until mozzarella is melted.

PENNE WITH CHEESY TOMATO-SAUSAGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook penne to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, brown sausage in large saucepan. Drain; return to saucepan. Add pasta sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in basil and mozzarella cheese. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted.
• To serve, spoon sauce mixture over cooked pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

MEXICAN CHICKEN CHEESY PENNE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the cream cheese, hot sauce and chicken broth together.
• Add the taco seasoning.
• Mix together, then add the sour cream.
• Add the shredded chicken.
• Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• In the meantime, cook the penne pasta in boiling water.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the Mexican Chicken Cheesy Sauce.
• Toss together, remove from heat and serve.

CHEESY SAUSAGE PENNE

Steps:

• 1. Spray crock pot insert with non-stick cooking spray for easier cleanup.
• 2. Brown sausage on all sides.
• 3. Add soup, tomatoes, onion powder, oregano, and about half a soup can of water to slow cooker and stir to combine. Add browned sausage to slow cooker. Cook on low 5 hours, stirring occasionally, draining water from condensed steam off lid before replacing. Leave the lid off for the last half hour to let the sauce thicken.
• 4. Boil penne according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, remove sausages and cut into coins. Add butter to crock and stir to melt. Taste for salt and add if desired. Return sausage to crock pot. Add drained cooked pasta to the crock and stir to combine. Enjoy!