Cheese Penne Pasta Easy Creamy Baked Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Penne

You’re going to absolutely adore this one-skillet cheesy penne that comes together in about 30 minutes with just 10 minutes of prep and around 20 minutes of cooking. It’s a quick, creamy baked pasta made right in your skillet or Dutch oven, perfect for busy weeknights when you want comforting flavors without the hassle.

This cheesy penne shines with ease of preparation. You brown the beef with veggies in one pan, simmer in tomatoes and pasta, then finish with cream and cheeses under the broiler. Minimal dishes mean more time enjoying that melty mozzarella top.

• Quick and simple: Total time around 30 minutes, ideal for weeknight pasta dinners.
• One-pan wonder: No boiling pasta separately; everything cooks together for less cleanup.

Health benefits make it even better. Lean ground beef provides protein, and you can swap for turkey or chicken. Veggies like carrots, onion, bell pepper, and garlic add fiber and nutrients. Garlic brings immune-boosting power, as noted in this article on its proven health benefits. Tomatoes offer lycopene, and cheeses give calcium. Balance it with a side salad for a nutritious family pasta dinner.

Fresh ingredients and smart swaps turn this indulgent cheesy pasta bake into a meal everyone feels good about.

Versatility keeps it exciting. Swap beef for ground turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, shrimp, or go vegetarian with extra veggies or meat substitutes. Use gluten-free penne if needed. It’s a flexible baked penne recipe that fits your crew.

The flavor pops with a rich tomato base from crushed and fire-roasted tomatoes, seasoned with basil, oregano, and a kick of red pepper flakes. Heavy cream makes it creamy penne, while three cheeses melt into gooey perfection. It’s kid-friendly cheesy penne dinner at its best.

Essential Ingredients for Cheesy Penne

Grab these pantry staples and fresh produce for your easy cheesy penne recipe for weeknights. This list covers everything for one-skillet cheesy beef penne serving 6-8 generously.

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 mL)
• 1 pound lean ground beef (454 g) can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (2.5 mL)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 6 8 garlic cloves (about 18 24 g)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (about 794 g)
• 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained (about 425 g)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (15 mL)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon (7.5 mL)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar (7.5 mL)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil (7.5 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (2.5 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (2.5 mL)
• 3 cups water (720 mL)
• 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta (about 340 g)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 mL)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (approx. 50 g)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese (approx. 56 g)
• 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese (approx. 113 g)

Lean ground beef packs protein, and as this resource explains, it fits a balanced diet. Freshly grated cheeses melt smoother than pre-shredded.

Special Dietary Options

Make it your own with these tweaks for vegetarian cheesy penne pasta recipe or other needs.

• Vegetarian: Skip beef, add extra vegetables or meat substitutes like lentils or plant-based crumbles.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free penne; adjust cooking time as needed.
• Dairy-free: Swap cream for coconut cream and use vegan cheeses.
• Lower calorie: Use ground turkey, reduce cream, load up on veggies.

How to Prepare the Perfect Cheesy Penne: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps for foolproof one-pan baked cheesy penne for busy weeknights. Total time: 30 minutes.

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Veggies

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Toss in diced yellow onion and optional thinly sliced carrots. Cook until beef browns, about 5-7 minutes. If not lean, drain excess fat.

Step 2: Build the Tomato Sauce

Add chopped red bell pepper and 6-8 minced garlic cloves; cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, drained 15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons each chicken bouillon and sugar, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon each oregano and parsley. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring now and then. If no fire-roasted, use regular diced tomatoes and a bit more sugar.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Pan

Pour in 3 cups water and 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta. Cover, crank heat to medium-high, and simmer 12-16 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally, replacing lid. Check often at the end; penne shape works best as timings match.

Step 4: Add Cream and Cheeses, Then Broil

Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and 1/2 cup sharp cheddar until smooth. Top evenly with 1 cup grated mozzarella. Broil on middle rack 2-3 minutes until melted and golden. Rest 5 minutes before digging in. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts best.

This penne pasta recipe is straightforward. For make-ahead, prep sauce ahead. Pair with garlic bread or salad.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Cheesy Penne

Tailor this creamy baked cheesy penne recipe for any table. Core method stays the same: one-pan simmer and broil.

Protein Swaps

• Ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for beef.
• Shrimp: Add near end for quick cook.
• Vegetarian: Extra veggies, lentils, or tofu.

Veggie and Sauce Tweaks

• Add zucchini or mushrooms with bell pepper.
• More cream or ricotta for richness.
• Spicy: Extra red pepper flakes.

Try a chicken version inspired by our easy chicken spaghetti recipe for similar vibes.

These changes keep your cheesy penne weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

Mastering Cheesy Penne: Advanced Tips and Variations

Level up your cheesy pasta bake with these pointers.

• Use penne; other shapes need liquid/timing tweaks.
• Freshly grate cheeses for better melt.
• Rest 5 minutes post-broil for perfect slices.

Variations: Swap proteins like turkey (check our turkey carcass soup for ideas), add spinach, or double cream. For make-ahead cheesy penne bake, assemble sans broil, refrigerate, then heat.

Freezer-friendly: Freeze before broiling, thaw, then broil. Quick cheesy penne with marinara and mozzarella twist by upping tomatoes.

How to Store Cheesy Penne: Best Practices

Leftovers stay tasty up to 5 days covered in fridge. Reheat in short microwave bursts to avoid drying. Add milk if needed.

• Fridge: 5 days, airtight.
• Freezer: Up to 2 months, thaw overnight.
• Reheat: Microwave intervals or oven at 350°F.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Penne

Cheesy Penne

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🍝 Perfect weeknight dinner that combines tender penne pasta with rich, creamy cheese sauce and savory ground beef all in one pan
🧀 Golden melted mozzarella topping creates an irresistible cheesy crust that makes this baked pasta family-favorite comfort food

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound lean ground beef

Salt and pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 yellow onion

2 medium carrots

1 red bell pepper

6 8 garlic cloves

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

3 cups water

12 ounces uncooked penne pasta

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1-Step 1: Brown the Beef and Veggies Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Toss in diced yellow onion and optional thinly sliced carrots. Cook until beef browns, about 5-7 minutes. If not lean, drain excess fat.

2-Step 2: Build the Tomato Sauce Add chopped red bell pepper and 6-8 minced garlic cloves; cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, drained 15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons each chicken bouillon and sugar, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon each oregano and parsley. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring now and then. If no fire-roasted, use regular diced tomatoes and a bit more sugar.

3-Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Pan Pour in 3 cups water and 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta. Cover, crank heat to medium-high, and simmer 12-16 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally, replacing lid. Check often at the end; penne shape works best as timings match.

4-Step 4: Add Cream and Cheeses, Then Broil Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and 1/2 cup sharp cheddar until smooth. Top evenly with 1 cup grated mozzarella. Broil on middle rack 2-3 minutes until melted and golden. Rest 5 minutes before digging in. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts best.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍝 Penne is recommended since cooking time and liquid were tested with this shape – other pastas may need different liquid and timing
🧀 Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded for that perfect cheesy topping
🥘 Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days; reheat in short microwave intervals to avoid drying out

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: One-Pan Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 544
• Sugar: 8
• Sodium: 1200
• Fat: 28
• Saturated Fat: 14
• Unsaturated Fat: 14
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 55
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 35
• Cholesterol: 85