Best 7 Baked 3 Cheese Penne Casserole Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary delight with our baked 3-cheese penne casserole recipe, an irresistible combination of three delectable cheeses, tender penne pasta, and a creamy sauce. This dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, tantalizing your taste buds with every bite.

For those with dietary restrictions, we also offer variations that cater to gluten-free and vegetarian preferences. Our gluten-free version swaps regular penne for gluten-free pasta, ensuring everyone can enjoy this cheesy goodness. If you prefer a meatless option, our vegetarian variation replaces the ground beef with a hearty mix of vegetables, creating a flavorful and satisfying casserole.

In addition to the main recipe, we provide a collection of complementary dishes to complete your meal. Try our refreshing Caesar salad for a crisp and tangy side, or our delectable garlic knots for a soft and chewy bread accompaniment. And for a sweet finish, our classic tiramisu recipe promises a delightful end to your Italian-inspired feast.

So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey with our baked 3-cheese penne casserole and its accompanying recipes. Prepare to be amazed by the explosion of flavors and textures that await you in this ultimate cheesy casserole experience.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED PENNE WITH THREE CHEESES



Baked Penne with Three Cheeses image

I don't believe in serving kids macaroni and cheese every day. It should be treated as an indulgence, because that's what it is. This is my version of the classic macaroni and cheese Xea's grandmother makes. Older kids can easily make this by themselves. Add a big green salad and they can have dinner ready before you get home from work!

Provided by Antonia Lofaso

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt
1 pound penne rigate pasta
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon seasoned salt, such as Lawry's
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
1/2 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs (preferably panko)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Prepare the penne rigate according to the package directions, minus 1 or 2 minutes of cooking time (see Cook's Note). Drain, then pour the pasta into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking pan.
  • In a 4-quart saucepan, melt the butter on medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour until it's dissolved. Add the cream to the saucepan. Add the nutmeg, seasoned salt, and black pepper and whisk the mixture until it's warmed through.
  • Reduce the heat to low, and add the mozzarella, Cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until you have a smooth cheese sauce.
  • Pour the sauce over the pasta and top with the breadcrumbs.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top turns a golden brown.

THREE-CHEESE CHICKEN BAKE



Three-Cheese Chicken Bake image

This is a hearty, comforting casserole that's always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of flavors and interesting colors ensures I come home with an empty dish! -Vicki Raatz, Waterloo, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 12-15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
3 tablespoons butter
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 jar (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 package (8 ounces) noodles, cooked and drained
3 cups diced cooked chicken
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute onion and green pepper in butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in the soup, mushrooms, pimientos and basil; set aside. , In a large bowl, combine the noodles, chicken and cheeses; add mushroom sauce and mix well. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with crumbs. Bake 15 minutes longer or until browned. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

Nutrition Facts :

THREE-CHEESE CHICKEN PENNE PASTA BAKE



Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake image

Serve our Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake and savor the compliments! With spinach, basil and three types of cheese, this chicken pasta bake can't be beat!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Chicken

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings, 2 cups each

Number Of Ingredients 9

1-1/2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
1 pkg. (9 oz.) fresh spinach leaves
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1-3/4 cups CLASSICO Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375ºF.
  • Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.
  • Meanwhile, cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. Stir in tomatoes and pasta sauce; bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until completely melted.
  • Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella; spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 95 mg, Sodium 840 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 8 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 44 g

BAKED PENNE



Baked Penne image

This version of the Italian-inspired classic dish combines ground beef, peppers, and sauteed onions, baked with penne and PHILADELPHIA Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme, and topped with Mozzarella cheese.

Provided by Philadelphia

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

½ pound extra lean ground beef
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped green peppers
1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (10 ounce) tub PHILADELPHIA Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme, divided
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
3 cups hot cooked penne pasta

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Brown meat with vegetables in large nonstick skillet. Stir in spaghetti sauce, 3/4 cup cooking creme and 1/2 cup mozzarella: cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted. Add pasta; mix lightly.
  • Spoon into 2-qt. casserole; top with remaining cooking creme and mozzarella. Cover.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 15 min.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 397.2 calories, Carbohydrate 38.8 g, Cholesterol 64.2 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 922 mg, Sugar 11.3 g

THREE CHEESE BAKED PASTA



Three Cheese Baked Pasta image

This hearty dish always gets rave reviews. Everyone who tries it loves it! Make it a part of your meal today!

Provided by Althea

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta

Time 1h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound uncooked pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
6 ½ cups tomato pasta sauce
6 ounces provolone cheese, thinly sliced
1 ½ cups sour cream
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, cook ground meat and onion in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until meat is browned. Stir in pasta sauce, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer the ingredients in the prepared baking dish as follows: half of the cooked pasta, all the provolone cheese, all the sour cream, half of the sauce mixture, remaining pasta, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.7 calories, Carbohydrate 42.3 g, Cholesterol 88.4 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 22.7 g, SaturatedFat 11.1 g, Sodium 878.1 mg, Sugar 12.7 g

THREE-CHEESE & PEPPER PENNE



Three-Cheese & Pepper Penne image

This creamy pasta entree comes together in a snap. It makes two casseroles, so you can freeze one or share it with friends. -Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 casseroles (5 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups 2% milk
2 jars (7 ounces each) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, saute chicken in 1 teaspoon oil until no longer pink. Remove from the skillet. In the same skillet, saute mushrooms in remaining oil until tender., In a Dutch oven, saute garlic in butter for 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the red peppers, mozzarella and provolone cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, mushrooms and chicken., Drain pasta; stir into sauce. Divide between two greased 8-in. square baking dishes. Sprinkle each with remaining Parmesan cheese., Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly., To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until bubbly, stirring once.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 534 calories, Fat 21g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 87mg cholesterol, Sodium 1002mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 37g protein.

BAKED PENNE PASTA CASSEROLE



Baked Penne Pasta Casserole image

This recipe is so yummy with A LOT of shredded cheese on top. I'm the "add a dash of this or that" kind of cook, so the measurements on the spices are VERY approximate. You can also add more or less mushrooms to your liking. This is my favorite dish at the moment to make and eat!

Provided by jusme

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 ounces dry penne rigate
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1 -2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 -3 minced garlic cloves
1/3 lb ground beef
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 pinch dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 dash black pepper
24 ounces garden style spaghetti sauce
2 -3 cups mozzarella cheese or 2 -3 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Cook penne according to package directions until almost cooked. Preheat oven to 350*.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil, then add onion, garlic and mushrooms; stir fry until onion is translucent. Remove to a plate.
  • Crumble beef in skillet; add basil, thyme, parsley, black pepper and oregano. Cook through; drain.
  • Add onion mixture and spaghetti sauce to beef; cook on low, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minute Stir in penne.
  • Put mixture in a shallow dish (13x9x2)and cover with shredded cheese. Bake for 30-45 minute Let stand 5 minute before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.2, Fat 16.6, SaturatedFat 7.2, Cholesterol 47.8, Sodium 506.6, Carbohydrate 32.9, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 7.2, Protein 18.5

Tips:

  • Use a variety of cheeses: This will give your casserole a more complex flavor. A good combination is a blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will make your casserole mushy.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is what will really make your casserole sing. A good option is a simple tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
  • Don't be afraid to add some extra vegetables: This will make your casserole more nutritious and flavorful. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini.
  • Top the casserole with a crispy breadcrumb topping: This will give your casserole a nice golden brown crust. To make the topping, simply combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and butter in a bowl and sprinkle it over the casserole before baking.

Conclusion:

Baked 3-Cheese Penne Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover pasta and cheese. With its creamy, cheesy sauce, crispy breadcrumb topping, and flavorful vegetables, this casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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