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
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 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.
- Cook the Pasta:
- In a large pot, cook 1 lb of penne pasta in salted water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain well.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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! 🍝