Best 6 Ellens Baked Penne Pasta Casserole Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary delight with Ellen's Baked Penne Pasta Casserole, a delectable dish that combines the flavors of tender penne pasta, a creamy sauce, and a crispy cheese topping. This classic casserole is perfect for a comforting family meal or a special occasion. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish that everyone will love.

This recipe collection includes two variations of the beloved baked penne pasta casserole: the classic version and a vegetarian option. Both recipes offer a creamy and cheesy experience, with the classic version featuring a rich tomato sauce and the vegetarian version showcasing a flavorful combination of roasted vegetables. Each variation provides a unique taste sensation that caters to different preferences and dietary needs.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, these recipes are designed to guide you effortlessly through the process. Detailed instructions and helpful tips ensure that you achieve perfect results every time. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds satisfied and your loved ones craving for more.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

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

BAKED PENNE



Baked Penne image

If you can boil water, then you can make this easy Baked Penne! It's a simple vegetarian casserole with layers of pasta, sauce and three different cheeses.

Provided by Blair Lonergan

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 10

16 oz box penne pasta
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ cups (6 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water just until al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Stir in marinara sauce and toss to coat.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, eggs and Parmesan cheese. Add basil, salt, garlic powder and pepper; stir to combine.
  • Layer half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta. Spoon the remaining pasta over the ricotta. Sprinkle mozzarella on top.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes (or until hot and bubbly).

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /8 of the casserole, Calories 415.9 kcal, Carbohydrate 51.8 g, Protein 22.3 g, Fat 13.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Cholesterol 77.8 mg, Sodium 730.6 mg, Fiber 3.9 g, Sugar 5.8 g, UnsaturatedFat 3.4 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

ELLEN'S BAKED PENNE PASTA CASSEROLE



ELLEN'S BAKED PENNE PASTA CASSEROLE image

If you're looking for a quick and delicious pasta dish that tastes like you've been cooking all day, this is it! I literally put it together with odds and ends, and it is outstanding!

Provided by Ellen Bales

Categories     Pasta

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 oz penne pasta
1 Tbsp butter
1/3 c chopped onion
1 jar(s) (24 oz.) prego spaghetti sauce flavored with meat
2 or 3 clove garlic, minced -- or -- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 c shredded hot pepper jack cheese
1/4 c parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • 1. In a large pot, cook penne pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
  • 2. In a large saucepan, melt butter and cook onion and garlic for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the spaghetti sauce, basil, oregano, and half the mozzarella cheese. Stir to blend and allow mozzarella to melt.
  • 3. Add the pasta to the sauce mixture and combine thoroughly. Pour into a greased 7x9x2" Pyrex baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and all of the hot pepper jack cheese.
  • 4. Cover dish and bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes or until bubbly. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

PENNE PASTA WITH CANNELLINI BEANS AND ESCAROLE



Penne Pasta with Cannellini Beans and Escarole image

This is a great pasta dish. The hardest part of the whole recipe is cutting the escarole. It is fast, simple, and delicious! What more could you ask for? With a loaf of Italian bread it goes a long way. Enjoy!

Provided by Renee Trivelli Milillo

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (16 ounce) package dry penne pasta
1 head escarole, chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can cannellini beans, with liquid
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, drained
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, and cook the penne pasta 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the escarole, cannellini beans and liquid, and diced tomatoes with garlic and onion until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with the cooked pasta to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.3 calories, Carbohydrate 60.1 g, Fat 2 g, Fiber 7.5 g, Protein 13.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 267.5 mg, Sugar 3.6 g

PORTOBELLO PENNE PASTA CASSEROLE



Portobello Penne Pasta Casserole image

Portabello mushrooms, spinach, cheeses and penne combine to make a delicious casserole dish - perfect for family dinners or a party.

Provided by chmadden

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Casserole Recipes     Vegetable

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (8 ounce) package uncooked penne pasta
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ pound portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced
½ cup margarine
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 large clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon dried basil
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
¼ cup soy sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
  • Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the mushrooms, cook 1 minute, and set aside. Melt margarine in the saucepan. Mix in flour, garlic, and basil. Gradually mix in milk until thickened. Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted. Remove saucepan from heat, and mix in cooked pasta, mushrooms, spinach, and soy sauce. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, and top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380.4 calories, Carbohydrate 32.1 g, Cholesterol 23 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 811.1 mg, Sugar 4.6 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality pasta: Penne is a great choice for this recipe, as it holds the sauce well. However, you can use any type of pasta that you like.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it is baked in the casserole.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is the star of this dish, so make sure it is flavorful and delicious. Use a combination of different cheeses, vegetables, and spices to create a sauce that is both creamy and flavorful.
  • Don't overcook the casserole: The casserole should be baked until it is bubbly and golden brown, but not overcooked. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and the casserole will not be as good.
  • Serve the casserole hot: This dish is best served hot out of the oven. It can be served as a main course or a side dish.

Conclusion:

Ellen's Baked Penne Pasta Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and it can be customized to your own liking. With its creamy sauce, tender pasta, and cheesy topping, this casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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