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 five simple ingredients, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8
Preparation Level: Beginner +
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 it’s cooked (about 11 minutes), drain and pour it into a large bowl.
Next, add the meat to the bowl of penne pasta. Add the spaghetti and Alfredo sauce to the bowl and mix everything together.
Pour everything into a greased 13″ x 9″ casserole dish and top with shredded cheese. The recipe calls for two cups, but you can always add more or less cheese. I tend to lean toward 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 ground beef casserole is ready to eat.
Add Some Variety
Try some different ingredients for your pasta bake and create endless variations.
- Add a layer of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top, giving your bake a crispy topping.
- 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, such as mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, or a mix of your favorites.
- Sauce: Try adding a twist to your sauce by using different flavors, such as 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: To spice things up, add chili flakes, red pepper flakes, cumin, or taco seasoning. Enhance flavors with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, fresh herbs like basil or parsley, or even a splash of red wine.
Tips for Making Penne Pasta with Ground Beef
- Precook the ground beef: This saves time.
- 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 Ingredient 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.
Ground Beef Penne Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef can be precooked
- 16 ounce box penne pasta
- 14 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 16 ounce jar Alfredo Sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Brown the meat and set aside.
- Boil the penne pasta per the box's directions, ensuring it only cooks to al dente.
- Drain the pasta and add to a large bowl.
- Add the meat, spaghetti sauce, and Alfredo sauce to the bowl. Mix everything together.
- Pour into an ungreased 13" x 9" casserole dish.
- Top with 2 cups shredded cheese.
- Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.
