Description
The ultimate weeknight dinner solution for pure, cheesy comfort. Rich, velvet-smooth Alfredo sauce pairs with hearty seasoned beef and tender penne, finished with a golden-brown, double-cheese crust in a bubbling skillet.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 16 oz lean ground beef
- 2–3 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
- 1 (15 oz) jar Alfredo sauce
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella (divided), 1/2 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
Pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil penne 1 minute less than package directions; drain.
Beef: Brown ground beef in an oven-safe skillet for 8 mins. Drain excess fat.
Sauce: Stir in garlic and seasonings; cook 1 min. Stir in Alfredo sauce and 3/4 cup mozzarella until melting.
Combine: Fold in cooked penne and spread into an even layer.
Bake: Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake 10 mins until bubbly. (Optional: Broil 1-2 mins for golden top).
Notes
Oven-Safe Skillet: Using cast iron or stainless steel allows a seamless stovetop-to-oven transition, preserving the flavorful ‘fond’ from the beef.
Under-cook the Pasta: Boiling for 1 minute less ensures the penne stays al dente after soaking in hot sauce during the bake.
Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced cloves provide a sharp aromatic contrast that cuts through the richness of the Alfredo sauce better than jarred versions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop / Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 890
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 26
- Cholesterol: 110
Keywords: ground beef alfredo bake, cheesy pasta bake, white sauce pasta with beef, easy weeknight dinners, penne alfredo bake