Hearty + Cheesy Baked Penne Casserole (Kid-Friendly!)

If your family is looking for a comforting, hearty meal on a busy weeknight, this baked penne needs to be at the top of the list! It’s a family favorite in my house (even with my pickiest eater!), and I know it will be in your house too.

I’ve tried a lot of baked penne pasta recipes over the years in search of the perfect weeknight solution, and this one keeps winning every single time. It’s loaded with flavor, it’s quick to throw together, and it’s the kind of kid-friendly meal that gets eaten without a single complaint.

Best of all, this baked penne recipe is freezer-friendly, so you can make a double batch and tuck one away for a night when cooking just isn’t in the cards. The aroma alone always has my daughter asking, “Is dinner ready yet?!” before I’ve even pulled it out of the oven.

Why you’ll love this baked penne

In case you aren’t convinced yet (and trust me, you will be!), here are just a few of the reasons this hearty meal is on constant rotation:

• Makes a large portion – This dish is PERFECT for feeding a large family or group, like a potluck or when it’s your turn to bring lunch for your church life group. 
• Leftovers taste awesome – If you have a crazy busy week, make this! It’s great for those seasons when you want a couple of nights of leftovers. Just add a side salad, and dinner is ready for days in advance! 
• Freezer-friendly – You can either freeze the entire casserole or make it in smaller portions and freeze them for later. It also makes this dish the ideal thing to bring to a new mom or someone in need of a meal, as they can choose whether they enjoy it now or freeze it for later!
• Kid-friendly – I’m always amazed at what my kids will eat when there’s pasta involved. And since this dish is topped with plenty of cheese, it’s a guaranteed hit. As I mentioned earlier, even my picky kids love this dinner. Once they got over trying something new, they now always eat it no matter what. That’s a big win in my book! 
• Comfort food at its finest – Finally, this baked penne is just downright delicious. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, meaty, and cheesy – all combined with a hearty pasta base that will fill up even the hungriest of bellies. Trust me, your family will devour this one!

Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to have on hand for this pasta bake:

• Penne pasta – use your favorite brand, and you can easily make this gluten-free if you need to. For gluten-free, I personally prefer Barilla’s GF pasta.
• Sweet Italian sausage
• Ground beef
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic – I prefer using freshly minced garlic, but I won’t judge if you use the stuff from a jar. 😉
• Marinara sauce* (see note below)
• Dried Italian seasoning
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Grated mozzarella cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley

*Marinara sauce note – the marinara sauce you use can really make or break this recipe. If you and your family already have a favorite marinara sauce you use and love, use that. Otherwise, I recommend either Rao’s or Prego’s.

I’ve tried cheap stuff, and it turns this otherwise delicious meal into a blah-dinner. We’re not a fan of Classico marinara sauce or the generic BJ’s sauce. Prego is a decent contender, but in our experience, Rao’s can’t be beaten. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it’s worth it! 

Instructions

Now for the good part — let’s make this easy baked penne!

First up, cook the sausage, beef, and onion together in a large pot or deep skillet until browned and cooked through.

Then, add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Next, add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and about half of the parmesan cheese.

Stir it together and allow the sauce to simmer for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

While the meat mixture is simmering, cook the pasta according to package directions. This is where you can sub in your gluten free pasta if you prefer! Either way, don’t overcook, or it will become mushy.

Next, drain the pasta and add it to the sauce mixture. Add mozzarella cheese and stir. 

Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13” baking dish (or two smaller dishes if you plan on eating half and freezing one for later!) Then, top with the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese. 

Finally, bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Enjoy!

Storage

Unless you really are feeding a crowd, you’ll likely have leftovers. In fact, it might be helpful for smaller families to make a full batch but divide it into two dishes so one can be refrigerated or frozen for another night!

Fridge: Store leftover baked penne in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: This baked penne pasta freezes beautifully. I’ve found it freezes best when assembled but unbaked — wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap (and foil, for extra protection) and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating:

• From the fridge: Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals, or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for about 15–20 minutes.
• From frozen (unbaked): Bake straight from frozen at 350°F for about an hour, covered with foil for the first 45 minutes, then uncovered until bubbly.
• From frozen (baked, thawed): Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake at 350°F for about 20–25 minutes, or until heated through.

Tips + Tricks for the Best Baked Penne

• Don’t skimp on the marinara — it makes a bigger difference than you’d think.
• Slightly undercook your pasta so it doesn’t turn mushy after baking.
• Freeze the casserole before baking, not after, for the best texture later.
• Splitting the batch into two smaller dishes is a great way to get one dinner now and one in the freezer.

Choose a good marinara sauce

As mentioned above, the marinara sauce can really make or break this baked penne recipe. If you and your family already love a specific brand, stick with it. If not, I recommend Rao’s or Prego. We’ve tried the cheaper stuff, and it just doesn’t compare.

Don’t overcook your pasta

Since the pasta bakes for another 20 minutes after you cook it on the stovetop, it’s important to slightly undercook it so it doesn’t turn mushy in the oven. Aim for the low end of your package’s suggested cook time.

Freeze before baking, not after

This casserole freezes best when it’s assembled but unbaked. That way, you get the freshest texture and flavor when you’re finally ready to bake and serve it.

Variations

• Add bell pepper – For a little extra something, try adding 1 bell pepper, chopped. I love it, but my kids aren’t big fans, so we skip it. If you try this, add the chopped pepper when the meat and onions are cooking. 
• Swap the sauce – We typically use the classic Rao’s, but we accidentally grabbed Rao’s Arrabbiata spicy marinara sauce once, and it was really good. It’s a great option if you want a little more oomph in flavor. 
• Make it spicy – In addition to swapping the sauce for a spicey variety, you can also add red pepper flakes to up the spice factor.
• Turn this gluten-free – Use a gluten-free penne pasta (I personally prefer Barilla), and make sure you select a marinara sauce that is gluten-free as well. I also recommend adding a bit extra sauce—instead of 24 oz, I typically do 36 oz.

I hope your family loves this yummy baked penne as much as mine does! Let me know what you think in the comments below.

More Delicious Family Dinners

• Simply Baked Ziti
• Easy Beef and Bean Enchiladas
• Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
• Tasty Chicken and Rice Casserole

Pin the image below to save this recipe for later!

Print