This Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta is the ultimate comfort dish. Loaded with tender pasta, rich tomato-cream sauce, melted cheese, and hints of garlic and herbs, every bite is creamy, stretchy, and irresistible. It’s the kind of recipe that looks amazing on camera and tastes even better.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, potlucks, or meal prep.
⭐ Why This Recipe Works
- Super creamy and cheesy texture
- Simple pantry-friendly ingredients
- Perfectly baked with cheese pull
- Ready in under 45 minutes
- Crowd-pleasing comfort food
📝 Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
- Water & salt for boiling
Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Cheese & Add-Ins
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup ricotta or cream cheese
- 1 cup cooked chicken or beef (optional)
- ½ cup fresh spinach or basil (optional)
🔥 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook penne until al dente according to package instructions.
Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in marinara sauce, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thick and creamy.
3️⃣ Combine Everything
Add cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well.
Stir in ricotta (or cream cheese), spinach, and optional protein.
Fold in ½ cup mozzarella and Parmesan for extra creaminess.
4️⃣ Bake the Pasta
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Transfer pasta mixture to a baking dish.
Top generously with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
For extra cheese pull, broil for 2 minutes.
5️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Serve hot and enjoy the ultimate cheesy stretch.
🧀 Pro Tips for Maximum Creaminess
- Use whole-milk mozzarella
- Don’t overcook the pasta
- Add a splash of pasta water for silkier sauce
- Mix cheeses for deeper flavor
❄️ Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: up to 4 days
- Freeze: up to 2 months
- Reheat covered with a splash of milk or cream
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- Garlic bread
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Iced tea or sparkling water
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cheesy Baked Penne Pasta is everything comfort food should be: rich, indulgent, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re posting for engagement, feeding family, or building recipe traffic, this dish always delivers.