Description
This simple comfort pasta dish is the perfect quick dinner idea for busy nights when you want something warm, cheesy, and satisfying. Made with tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and melted mozzarella, it’s an easy recipe that delivers rich flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, family-friendly meals, or cozy food ideas, this dish checks all the boxes with its creamy texture and hearty ingredients.
Ingredients
2 cups penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 cup cherry tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta until al dente, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté chopped onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
4. Stir in cherry tomatoes and Italian seasoning, then let simmer until tomatoes soften.
5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and mix well to combine.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the pasta and cover until melted.
7. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and flavor.
Do not overcook the pasta to keep the perfect texture.
Add a splash of cream if you want a richer, creamier sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: easy dinner, comfort food, pasta recipe, quick dinner, cheesy pasta