Ground Beef Penne Pasta Bake

This ground beef penne pasta recipe is pure comfort food, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Packed with a flavorful meat sauce and simple ingredients, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Hamburger Pasta Casserole

Ground beef penne pasta bake is an easy meal to make for the entire family. It’ll fill everyone up, and you’ll have plenty left over. We had some for lunch the next day, too! 

The casserole recipe doesn’t require a lot of ingredients, and you can make the meat ahead of time and set it in the fridge to use when you’re ready.

It’s always nice to have food prepared for those days when you’ve driven kids all over and don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.

Ingredients for the Pasta Bake Recipe

• Ground beef
• Penne pasta
• Spaghetti sauce
• Alfredo sauce
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions are listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Brown your meat in a large skillet. Drain the grease and set aside.

While you’re browning the meat, boil your penne pasta. Once you’ve cooked the pasta (about 11 minutes), drain and pour it into a large bowl. 

Next, add the meat to the bowl of penne pasta.

Add the spaghetti sauce and Alfredo sauce to the bowl and mix everything together.

Grab the recipe HERE for Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese.

Pour everything into a greased 13″ x 9″ casserole dish and top with shredded cheese. It calls for two cups, but you can always put more or less cheese. I tend to lean on the more side–I LOVE cheese! 

Cook at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, the sauce is bubbly, and the kitchen smells really good. 

Once the food bakes, your casserole is ready to eat.

Variety for your Ground Beef Penne Pasta Bake:

Try some different ingredients for your pasta bake and create endless variations.

• Protein: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, lentils, or black beans. Or use lean ground beef to lower the fat content.
• Cheese: Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan, provolone, or a mix of your favorites.
• Sauce: Add a twist to your sauce by using different flavors like marinara, Alfredo, pesto, barbecue, or even a creamy tomato sauce.
• Vegetables: Dice and add bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or any vegetables you enjoy.
• Spices and Herbs: Add spice with chili flakes, red pepper flakes, cumin, or taco seasoning to make things spicy. Enhance flavors with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, fresh herbs like basil or parsley, or even a splash of red wine.
• Add a layer of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top: This gives your bake a crispy topping.

Tips for Making Penne Pasta with Ground Beef

• Precook the ground beef: This saves time and prevents your pasta from getting soggy.
• Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta noodles to al dente so they don’t get mushy in the bake.
• Customize individual portions: Let everyone add their favorite toppings like sour cream, hot sauce, or extra cheese.
• Get creative with the pasta shape: Use penne, ziti, rotini, macaroni, or any other pasta you like.
• Serve with a green salad or crusty garlic bread for a complete meal.
• Top the easy dinner with some parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Additional Ideas:

• Add a dollop of ricotta cheese for extra creaminess.
• Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted garlic for a burst of flavor.
• Use a Dutch oven or a large skillet for easy one-pot cooking.

By using these ideas and tips for the easy weeknight dinner, you can create endless variations of a delicious and satisfying ground beef penne pasta bake.

More Delicious Meals

• Easy slow cooker chicken and pasta – this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. You can throw it in the slow cooker in the morning and have it ready by evening.
• Hamburger mac and cheese – this ground beef pasta recipe is delicious, and those picky eaters will come running.