Ultimate Creamy Baked Penne Pasta

Ultimate Creamy Baked Penne Pasta
🧾 Ingredients
400 g (14 oz) penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
500 g (1 lb) ground beef or chicken (optional)
2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese (or cream cheese)
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar (optional, extra cheesy)
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
👩‍🍳 Instructions
Cook the pasta
Boil penne in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the sauce base
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add onion and cook until soft (3–4 minutes), then add garlic.
Cook the meat (optional)
Add ground beef or chicken and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Build the creamy sauce
Stir in marinara sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Let simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Make it creamy & cheesy
Add ricotta (or cream cheese) and mix until smooth and creamy.
Combine with pasta
Add cooked penne and toss until fully coated.
Assemble
Transfer to a greased baking dish.
Top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar.
Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Serve
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
💡 Tips
For extra richness, mix in a little butter or extra cream.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for more flavor.
Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a golden cheesy crust.