Give your bolognese a new lease of life with penne pasta and a crème fraîche Parmesan cream topping. This lower fat pasta bake makes an easy midweek meal.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 box of penne pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large pot or skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become soft and fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until it is browned and fully cooked.
5. Drain any excess grease from the pot, if needed.
6. Next, add the can of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to the pot. Stir to combine.
7. Add in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
8. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
10. In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the Bolognese sauce on the bottom.
11. Add half of the cooked penne pasta on top of the sauce. Spread half of the remaining sauce on top of the pasta.
12. Add the remaining pasta on top of the sauce and then pour the rest of the sauce on top, making sure to cover all of the pasta.
13. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta and sauce.
14. Bake the pasta bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
15. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Bolognese pasta bake!