Penne Pasta Casserole - Easy Baked Pasta Recipe!

andouille sausage

🥗Healthier: chicken sausage

💰Cheaper: pork sausage

Chicken sausage is lower in fat, while pork sausage is often less expensive.

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

shredded cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: generic cheese blend

Reduced-fat cheese cuts calories, while generic blends are often cheaper.

Chop half of a green bell pepper, removing the stem and seeds, and finely dice it.

Dice half of an onion after removing the peeling and ends.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 pound of ground beef, the diced onions, and the diced green bell pepper. Brown the beef with the vegetables, mixing until well combined.

Do not drain any liquid from the skillet; leave the liquid from the vegetables and fat from the beef for flavor.

Turn off the heat and remove the skillet from the stove.

In a large bowl, combine the meat and vegetable mixture with 2 eggs, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 24 ounces of marinara sauce. Mix until well combined.

In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add 4 cups of your favorite pasta and stir to combine.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the bowl with the meat sauce. Mix until the noodles and sauce are evenly combined.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the casserole for 30 minutes.

After baking, allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens