Penne Pie: Make Katie Lee’s Recipe For This 'Crazy Good’ Comfort Food | TODAY

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

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

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories.

Boil a large pot of salted water.

Cook penne pasta for about 3-4 minutes less than the package instructions; drain and reserve about half a cup of pasta water.

Brown ground beef in a skillet; drain excess fat.

Add olive oil to the same skillet and sauté chopped onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sautéed onions, eggs, parmesan cheese, parsley, marinara sauce, salt, black pepper, and reserved pasta water; mix well.

Add the browned ground beef to the mixture and toss to combine.

Add the cooked penne pasta to the mixture and coat well.

Grease a cake pan and transfer the mixture into it, spreading evenly.

Top with mozzarella cheese and additional parmesan cheese.

Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Let cool slightly before serving; can be served with a salad.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens