If you are craving a warm, comforting pasta dinner loaded with creamy sauce and plenty of melted cheese, this Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender penne pasta is tossed in a rich, velvety tomato cream sauce, layered with mozzarella and Parmesan, then baked until bubbly and beautifully golden on top.
This baked pasta is easy enough for a busy weeknight but satisfying enough to serve for Sunday dinner, family gatherings, potlucks, or casual entertaining. Every forkful delivers soft pasta, creamy sauce, savory herbs, and stretchy melted cheese.
One of the best things about homemade baked penne is how flexible it is. You can keep it completely vegetarian, add ground beef, sausage, chicken, spinach, mushrooms, or extra vegetables, and adjust the cheese depending on what you have available.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta
This creamy baked penne uses simple ingredients that come together to create a rich and comforting meal without requiring complicated cooking techniques.
The pasta is coated in a silky tomato cream sauce before being layered with generous amounts of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baking everything together allows the flavors to blend while creating those irresistible golden, bubbly cheese spots on top.
It is also an excellent make-ahead dinner. You can assemble the entire casserole earlier in the day, refrigerate it, and bake it when you are ready to eat. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it especially convenient for busy families.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for the pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup reserved pasta water, as needed
For the Cheese Layer
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley or basil
How to Make Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta
1. Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Season the water generously with salt. Well-seasoned pasta water helps flavor the penne from the inside rather than relying only on the sauce for seasoning.
Add the penne and cook it approximately 2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. The pasta should be slightly firmer than al dente because it will continue cooking in the oven.
Before draining, reserve approximately ½ cup of the pasta water.
Drain the penne well. You can toss it with a small amount of olive oil if you are not immediately adding it to the sauce, although this is usually unnecessary if the sauce is ready.
2. Prepare the Creamy Tomato Sauce
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the finely diced onion.
Cook the onion for approximately 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent. Avoid browning it too aggressively because you want a smooth, balanced sauce.
Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly. Garlic can burn quickly, so keep the heat moderate.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook it for approximately 1 minute. Cooking the tomato paste briefly helps deepen its flavor and removes some of its raw acidity.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes.
Add the Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper.
Stir everything together and allow the sauce to simmer gently for approximately 8–10 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream.
Allow the sauce to cook for another 2–3 minutes without bringing it to a hard boil. The cream should blend smoothly into the tomatoes and create a rich orange-red sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
If the sauce appears too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water until it reaches a creamy consistency that will easily coat the penne.
3. Combine the Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained penne directly to the creamy tomato sauce.
Gently stir until every piece of pasta is evenly coated.
The sauce should look slightly looser than you think necessary because the pasta will absorb additional moisture while baking.
Add approximately 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of the grated Parmesan.
Stir gently until the cheese begins to melt into the warm pasta.
4. Assemble the Baked Penne
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread approximately half of the creamy penne mixture evenly across the bottom.
Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the pasta, spacing them throughout the dish.
Sprinkle a portion of the remaining mozzarella over the ricotta layer.
Add the rest of the pasta and spread it evenly across the top.
Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
For an especially cheesy top, make sure the mozzarella reaches close to the edges of the baking dish.
5. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the cheese has completely melted.
For a more deeply golden top, switch the oven to broil during the final 1–3 minutes.
Watch the pasta closely while broiling because cheese can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
Remove the baked penne from the oven and allow it to rest for approximately 5–10 minutes before serving.
This short resting period helps the sauce settle slightly and makes the pasta easier to portion.
Finish with freshly chopped parsley or basil before serving.
What to Serve With Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta
Creamy baked penne is rich and filling, so simple side dishes work especially well.
Serve it with garlic bread, toasted Italian bread, breadsticks, or crusty sourdough for soaking up the creamy tomato sauce.
For something lighter, pair the pasta with a simple green salad, Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts.
If you are serving the pasta for a larger family dinner, you can also add grilled chicken, Italian sausage, meatballs, or roasted vegetables on the side.
Tips for the Best Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta
Do not fully cook the penne before baking. Slightly undercooked pasta holds its shape better and prevents the finished casserole from becoming overly soft.
Use freshly grated cheese whenever possible. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but it often contains anti-caking ingredients that can prevent it from melting as smoothly.
Keep the tomato sauce slightly loose before baking. Pasta naturally absorbs liquid as it cooks, so a sauce that looks perfect on the stovetop may become too dry in the oven.
Add the heavy cream over low heat. High heat can cause cream-based sauces to separate.
Allow the baked pasta to rest before cutting into it. Resting helps the cheese and sauce settle so the portions hold together better.
For the best flavor, use good-quality crushed tomatoes and freshly grated Parmesan.
Easy Recipe Variations
For Creamy Chicken Baked Penne, add approximately 2 cups of cooked, shredded, or diced chicken to the sauce before combining it with the pasta.
For Cheesy Beef Baked Penne, brown 1 pound of ground beef with the onions. Drain excess grease before adding the garlic and continuing with the sauce.
For Italian Sausage Baked Penne, cook crumbled Italian sausage in the skillet before preparing the tomato sauce. Mild or spicy sausage both work well.
For Spinach and Ricotta Baked Penne, stir 2–3 cups of fresh spinach into the sauce and cook until wilted before adding the pasta.
For Mushroom Baked Penne, sauté approximately 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms until golden before adding the garlic.
For an Extra Creamy Baked Penne, increase the heavy cream to 1 cup and add an additional ½ cup ricotta to the pasta mixture.
For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes or add a small amount of cayenne pepper.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover creamy cheesy baked penne to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat larger portions, place the pasta in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
For individual portions, the microwave works well. Add a tablespoon or two of milk, cream, or water before reheating to help loosen the sauce.
You can also freeze baked penne for up to approximately 2–3 months.
For the best texture, freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make baked penne ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the pasta completely, cover the baking dish tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats. You may need to add approximately 5–10 minutes to the baking time because the pasta will be cold.
Can I use another pasta shape?
Absolutely. Rigatoni, ziti, mostaccioli, rotini, or medium shells all work well.
Choose a sturdy pasta shape that can hold the creamy sauce and remain firm during baking.
Can I make baked penne without ricotta?
Yes. Simply omit the ricotta and add extra mozzarella, Parmesan, or a small amount of cream cheese if desired.
Can I add meat?
Yes. Ground beef, Italian sausage, shredded chicken, ground turkey, or cooked meatballs are all excellent additions.
Make sure raw meat is completely cooked before adding it to the pasta.
Why did my baked pasta turn out dry?
The pasta may have been cooked too long before baking, the sauce may have been too thick, or the casserole may have baked for too long.
For the best result, slightly undercook the penne and make sure the sauce is creamy and relatively loose before assembling the dish.
Can I use marinara sauce instead of crushed tomatoes?
Yes. You can replace the crushed tomatoes with approximately 3 cups of your favorite marinara sauce.
Because prepared marinara is already seasoned, reduce the added salt and herbs until you have tasted the sauce.
Final Thoughts
This easy Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta Recipe is the kind of comforting meal that works for almost any occasion. Tender pasta, rich tomato cream sauce, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and savory Parmesan come together in one warm, satisfying casserole.
It is simple enough for weeknight cooking, easy to prepare ahead of time, and flexible enough to customize with your favorite meat, vegetables, herbs, or cheeses.
Serve it hot from the oven with garlic bread, salad, or roasted vegetables, and make sure to scoop up plenty of that creamy sauce and golden melted cheese with every serving.