T There is nothing quite as universally comforting to devour as a cheesy, hearty pasta from my Classic Lasagna and One Pot Lasagna Soup to my Million Dollar Baked Penne, Million Dollar Mac and Cheese Casserole, One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, Spaghetti Bolognese, Spaghetti and Meatballs to my Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – I could go on and on and on. And there is nothing quite as universally appealing to a cook as easy cleanup as a ONE SKILLET PASTA – enter your new best friends, One Skillet Cheesy Penne! You will love every cheesy, meaty, saucy bite of of this cheesy penne. Not only is it cheesy, but its creamy, seasoned to perfection and is going to have you craving its comfortliciousness endlessly. While pasta is already a relatively quick and easy dinner, we are able to eliminate two extra pots and infuse the pasta with tons of flavor by simmering everything right in the same skillet.
Cheesy Pasta Recipe Ingredients
Penne: This recipe has been tested with penne for the cooking time. A different pasta, such as cellentani, might require additional cooking time and liquid. Ground Beef: You may also use ground turkey or ground chicken. Carrots and bell peppers: Their sweetness balances the acidity and adds a complex dimension of flavor. You may skip if you don’t have them or substitute the red bell pepper for a carrot. If you skip, be prepared to add a bit of extra sugar. Onion: One yellow onion will do the trick. For lazy days, substitute with onion powder. Garlic: I use 6-8 garlic cloves, but feel free to use less if you prefer. You may also use 1-1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder – but the real stuff is much better! Crushed tomatoes: You will need one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes (often called crushed tomatoes in puree). Make sure your crushed tomatoes don’t have any additional seasonings or added salt. I recommend high-quality San Marzano tomatoes for their sweet, intense, tomatoey flavor and lower acidity. Some reputable brands include San Marzano, Cento, and Muir Glen. San Marzano tomatoes are usually sold “whole,” so you will want to pour them into a bowl and crush them first. Fire roasted diced tomatoes: These are wonderfully smoky with a sweet complexity and less acidity than traditional tomatoes. If you can’t find fire-roasted, use regular. Tomato paste: Just two tablespoons add rich, concentrated tomato flavor. Tip: Store unused tomato paste by the tablespoon wrapped in plastic wrap in the freezer for easy use. Chicken bouillon: This adds a depth of concentrated flavor, making the sauce taste like it’s been simmering all day. You can use beef base (such as Zoup! or Better Than Bouillon), granulated bouillon, or crushed cubes, all in equal amounts. Add the bouillon directly to the pot, but don’t dissolve it in water first. Seasonings: This recipe is seasoned to perfection with basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sugar: A little sugar balances the tomatoes’ acidity. The amount of sugar will depend on the tomato’s acidity, whether you use a carrot, and personal preference.
Best Cheese for Pasta
Mozzarella: Its milky, buttery richness cuts through the tangy sauce and melts beautifully to create a blanket of gooey cheese. Please use only freshly shredded mozzarella for superior melting ability and flavor. You can use a block of low-skim mozzarella or splurge for a ball of fresh mozzarella—yum! Parmesan: This infuses the cheesy penne pasta with an alluring salty, nutty flavor. Please use freshly grated!
How to Make Penne Pasta with Cheese
And you have ooey, gooey, saucy One Skilley Cheesy Penne all under 30 minutes and all in one dish! Another bonus of this One Skillet Cheesy Penne is that it makes wonderful leftovers – I think the flavors are even better the next day as I could not stop craving it, eating it, loving every bite of it. So the next time you need an easy prep, easy cleanup but absolutely rave worthy meal (which is all the time right?), try this One Skillet Cheesy Penne! And sit back, relax, and let someone else wash the one skillet.
Penne Pasta Recipe Variations
Protein Boost: Substitute the ground beef for Italian sausage, ground turkey, grilled chicken, or shrimp. Vegetarian Delight: To make it a hearty vegetarian dish, skip the ground beef and incorporate sautéed mushrooms, spinach, eggplant, green beans, or zucchini. Spicy Twist: Mix in extra red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Creamy Upgrade: Stir in additional heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta for an even creamier texture. Herbaceous Flavor: Add fresh basil, parsley, and/or oregano instead of dried for a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor. Gluten-Free: Substitute the penne with your favorite gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Mexican-Inspired: Swap out the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning and add black beans and corn.
How to store Cheese Pasta
Store tightly covered with foil or in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat servings in the microwave for one minute, then at 10-second intervals.
Looking for more Italian pasta recipes?
Million Dollar Baked Penne Baked Italian Meatballs (and Spaghetti) Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo Parmesan Meatballs and Orzo Chicken Parmesan Shrimp Fettuccine Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese 20 Minute Sundried Tomato Basil Shrimp Pasta
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