Eps.17 Cozy Baked Penne: The Ultimate Winter Comfort Food

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while still melting well.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free option that adds a cheesy flavor.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner while ground pork is often less expensive.

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese provides similar texture with lower fat.

Start by sautéing the onion, garlic, and shallots until golden brown.

Add the ground beef and sauté until it turns white.

Pour in tomato puree from 7 red tomatoes.

Add 2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp salt, mushroom stock, oregano, basil, hot sauce, and oyster sauce; stir well.

Pour in 100ml water and cook until the water reduces and the sauce thickens.

In a separate pan, heat butter, add 1 tbsp of flour, and pour in 200ml milk; stir well.

Add grated cheese and 1 tsp black pepper, mixing until combined.

Cook penne pasta in boiling water with a little oil and salt until al dente.

Mix the marinara sauce into the penne pasta, leaving some to spread on top later.

Layer marinara sauce, penne pasta, cheese sauce, and mozzarella cheese; repeat one more time.

Sprinkle with basil and more pepper, and pour enough olive oil on top.

Bake for 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens