Layered Penne Pasta Bake for a delicious, comforting dinner.


Layered Penne Pasta Bake

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (browned and drained)
  • 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce (marinara or tomato basil work well)
  • 1 lb penne pasta (cooked according to package instructions, drained)
  • 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce
  • 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (or your preferred cheese blend)

Equipment

  • Large skillet for cooking ground beef
  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • 9Ă—13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing spoon
  • Aluminum foil (optional for baking)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven:
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  1. Cook the Ground Beef:
  • In a large skillet, cook 1 lb of ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  • Pour in 1 jar of pasta sauce and stir to combine. Set aside.
  1. Cook the Pasta:
  • In a large pot, cook 1 lb of penne pasta in salted water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain well.
  1. Assemble the Layers:
  • Layer 1: Spread half of the ground beef and pasta sauce mixture on the bottom of a greased 9Ă—13-inch baking dish.
  • Layer 2: Add half of the cooked penne pasta on top of the ground beef and sauce layer.
  • Layer 3: Drizzle half of the Alfredo sauce over the pasta layer and spread to cover.
  • Layer 4: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the Alfredo sauce layer.
  • Repeat Layers: Repeat all layers, starting with the ground beef and sauce mixture, then penne, Alfredo sauce, and ending with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  1. Bake:
  • Cover the dish loosely with foil (to prevent the cheese from over-browning) and bake at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the bake is heated through.
  • If desired, remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes for a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
  1. Serve:
  • Let the bake cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal!

Tips for Customizing

  • Add Veggies: You can add layers of veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Meat Options: Swap ground beef with Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
  • Seasoning: Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the ground beef for more flavor.

This layered pasta bake is a great, crowd-pleasing dinner and makes wonderful leftovers, too! 🍝

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