Description

A simple, forgiving baked pasta dish that combines penne, marinara sauce, and plenty of mozzarella cheese for a gooey, comforting meal that requires minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound penne pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in marinara sauce and stir in oregano. Simmer for 2 minutes to warm through.
In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the drained pasta, warm marinara sauce, half of the mozzarella, and all of the Parmesan. Toss to coat evenly.
Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and drizzle with a little extra olive oil if desired.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set. For a crunchy top, sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top before baking. This dish does not freeze well due to cheese separation.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 380
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 3
Protein: 18

Keywords: baked penne, cheese dip pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, mozzarella, marinara, one pot meal