Savory Beef Makes This Cheesy Penne Recipe Shine

Sizzling beef and melted cheese dance together in this irresistible cheesy penne delight with savory beef that promises a mouthwatering experience.

Comfort food reaches new heights with every forkful of this hearty pasta dish.

Rich, creamy sauce coats perfectly cooked penne, creating a symphony of flavors that’ll make taste buds sing.

Tender beef adds a robust depth that transforms this simple meal into something extraordinary.

The combination of golden cheese and seasoned meat guarantees a dinner that disappears quickly from plates.

Weeknight meals never looked so delicious and satisfying.

Dive into this recipe and watch dinner become the highlight of your day.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 510 kcal

Servings: 5

Cheesy Penne with Savory Beef: Full Ingredient List

• Penne Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape perfect for capturing delicious beef and cheese flavors, choose high-quality bronze-cut pasta for better sauce absorption.
• Water: Essential for cooking pasta to achieve ideal al dente texture.

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that provides rich, hearty flavor, select fresh ground beef with moderate fat content for optimal taste and moisture.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of aromatic herbs that infuses the meat with traditional Mediterranean warmth and depth.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that creates smooth, stretchy texture and mild dairy richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese that adds nutty, complex flavor and enhances overall dish complexity.

Must-Have Tools for Cheesy Penne with Savory Beef

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and mixing ingredients with even heat distribution.
• Spatula: Perfect for breaking apart beef and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta after cooking to achieve ideal texture.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for accurate Italian seasoning measurements.
• Serving Spoon: Great for transferring the final cheesy dish onto plates.

How to Make Cheesy Penne with Savory Beef

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water in a large pot and cook penne until perfectly tender. Drain and keep warm.

• Beef Transformation

Heat a skillet and brown ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until no pink remains and the meat develops a rich, golden color.

• Flavor Infusion

Sprinkle Italian herbs over the beef, stirring to create a fragrant and well-seasoned mixture that will make taste buds dance.

• Cheesy Fusion

Combine pasta with seasoned beef in the skillet. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt into a creamy, irresistible sauce that coats every pasta piece.

• Delicious Presentation

Transfer the steaming, cheesy creation to serving plates. The golden beef and melted cheese create a mouthwatering dish that promises comfort and satisfaction in every bite.

Flavor Ideas for Cheesy Penne with Savory Beef

• Meat Alternatives: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat crumbles for a lighter protein option that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, fontina, or creamy goat cheese to create your unique cheesy profile and elevate the dish's richness.
• Veggie Boost: Fold in sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms during the beef cooking stage to add extra nutrition and create a more complex flavor palette.
• Spice It Up: Kick the heat by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or diced jalapeños for those who enjoy a spicier pasta experience that tingles the taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance and store in a covered casserole dish in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal solution.

Cheesy Penne with Savory Beef: Serving the Dish

• Party-Perfect Plating: Serve this dish on a large, colorful platter garnished with fresh chopped parsley to add a pop of green and brightness that makes the meal look extra inviting.
• Hearty Side Kick: Pair the Cheesy Penne Delight with a crisp garden salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheesy pasta and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Bread Lover's Dream: Accompany the meal with warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread slices to help soak up the delicious cheesy sauce and add a delightful crunch to your dining experience.
• Family-Style Feast: Create a fun dinner atmosphere by setting the skillet directly on the table, allowing everyone to serve themselves and enjoy the communal, comforting nature of this cheesy beef pasta dish.

Keeping Cheesy Penne with Savory Beef for Later

• Smart Fridge Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Tasty meals stay fresh for 3-4 days when properly sealed.
• Quick Reheat Magic: Warm up refrigerated pasta by adding a splash of water before microwaving. Gently stir every 30 seconds to maintain creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Portion the dish into individual freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and store up to 2 months for convenient future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare the entire recipe in advance during weekend cooking sessions. Divide into grab-and-go containers for quick weekday lunches or dinners. Perfect for busy professionals and students seeking delicious, time-saving solutions.

Hearty Cheesy Penne with Beef Bake

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty cheesy penne delight with savory beef combines classic Italian pasta with rich ground beef and melted cheese. Comfort emerges from each forkful, promising satisfying warmth that nourishes both body and soul.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook penne in salted boiling water until achieving al dente texture, drain completely, and set aside for subsequent incorporation.
2. Beef Foundation: Sauté ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, systematically fragmenting the meat and cooking until achieving a deep, caramelized brown color that signals perfect doneness.
3. Seasoning Enhancement: Integrate Italian seasoning into the browned beef, thoroughly distributing herbs to elevate the meat’s intrinsic flavor profile and create a robust aromatic base.
4. Pasta and Protein Fusion: Introduce cooked penne into the seasoned beef skillet, gently folding to ensure comprehensive coating and seamless flavor melding.
5. Cheese Transformation: Reduce heat and sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the pasta-beef mixture, stirring continuously until cheeses melt completely, creating a luxurious, creamy sauce that envelops every ingredient.
6. Serving Presentation: Transfer the steaming, cheese-laden penne directly to serving plates, presenting a comforting, indulgent dish that promises a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Master Pasta Texture: Cook penne exactly al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain perfect bite resistance.
• Beef Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef is fully cooked with deep brown color for maximum flavor development and food safety.
• Cheese Melting Secrets: Lower heat when adding cheese to prevent scorching and achieve smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
• Seasoning Balance: Distribute Italian herbs evenly throughout meat for consistent, well-rounded flavor in every bite.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg