Ultimate Creamy Baked Penne

5 from 10 votes

This creamy baked penne recipe is perfect as a freezer meal or a big family dinner, and loaded with bold Italian-American flavors!

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: baked pasta, italian pasta

Servings: servings

Calories: 986kcal

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil penne 1-2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

In a dutch oven or large deep skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil (optional) and heat over MED HIGH heat. Once hot, add beef and cook, crumbling as it browns, for about 4-5 minutes, until cooked through. Drain.

While beef is cooking, mix together the cream cheese, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, dried parsley, half the salt, and half the pepper.

Add butter and reduce heat to MED. Add onion and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.

Return drained ground beef to the pot, then stir in marinara sauce, about 2/3 of the cream cheese mixture, and half the mozzarella cheese. Let cook, as you stir very frequently, for 1-2 minutes, until everything is melted together.
Stir in pasta, and remaining salt and pepper.

Transfer to prepared baking dish, then spread with the remaining 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture, and remaining 1 cup of mozzarella.
Spray aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray, then cover the dish (sprayed side down), and bake 15 minutes.
Uncover and continue baking another 10 minutes.

I've estimated that this recipe serves approximately 6-8, but please feel free to portion it out into as many servings as you'd like.
If you'd like to use homemade marinara, you certainly can, just use an equal amount.
If you'd like to use Italian sausage, you can use all sausage, or a combination of beef and sausage.