This three cheese penne pasta bake is perfect for family meals! Get dinner on the table quickly and serve with a side salad and garlic bread.
With autumn comes the return of school and heavier dinners and dishes. I love piling on the cheese and pasta once the weather gets cooler and fall comes. This three cheese penne pasta bake, using the tasty Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ flavored pasta sauces, is perfect for cooler nights when you are short on time.
When I was a little kid, my mom somehow managed to put hot dinner on the table every night. This was pretty awesome considering the fact that she was a single mom and worked both a full-time and a part-time job. Looking back now and knowing how long it can take some times to get meals ready, I realized what an amazing feat that was.
Three Cheese Penne Pasta Bake
She made dishes similar to this easy pasta bake. The pasta could be cooked and the dish assembled the night before – then all my mom would have to do is put the casserole dish in the oven while she helped us with our homework or did stuff around the house.
When I made this recipe, I tried to make it similar to dishes my mom would make for us. Using the Mezzetta Napa Valley homemade pasta sauces really gives this dish a lot of flavor and saves you time. I know how busy everyone’s schedules are!
I used the traditional Marinara Mezzetta pasta sauce for this recipe, but you could use any of the 6 flavors for maximum flavor: Tomato & Sweet Basil, Spicy Marinara, Roasted Garlic & Caramelized Onions, Parmesan, Asiago & Romano, Wild Mushroom, and Marinara.
We love the Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade sauces because they are made from hand-selected plum tomatoes and are a family owned and operated company. Plus, you can’t go wrong with recipes made in the Italian tradition in a Napa Valley kitchen.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and 2 cups of the pasta sauce. Mix well, then pour this mixture into a 8x11 inch casserole dish. Drizzle the remaining pasta sauce on top of this mixture, then spread the last cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Three Cheese Penne Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Instructions
Head over to the Mezzetta #FallFlavors website and enter their latest giveaway. You have a chance to win the Perfect Pasta Night or several runner up prizes by entering you email on the campaign landing page!
Prizes:
• Grand Prize (1): Perfect Pasta Night. Cooking kit includes: Six (6) Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ Pasta Sauces + Dried Pasta + Apron + Grocery Tote + Chef’s Hat + Cheese Grater + Recipe Cards + $500 grocery gift card
• Runner Up Prizes (10): Six (6) Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ Pasta Sauces + Recipe Cards
Lisa Brown says
September 1, 2015 at 5:09 pmI would use the Parisian Asiago and Romano sauce to make a gnocci and cashew nut dish.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
September 1, 2015 at 6:06 pmWow! I would make this recipe! Lots of cheese and my all-time favorite pasta shape! Do you deliver?
Jenny B says
September 1, 2015 at 7:55 pmHaha, if you’re close to Chicago I do!
Julie Wood says
September 1, 2015 at 6:22 pmI want to use the sauces to make my Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs. The Mezzetta pasta sauces look amazing!
masood anjum says
September 1, 2015 at 6:39 pmAWESOME CONTEST .LOVE TO TASTE
Madelyn says
September 1, 2015 at 7:49 pmI would make spaghetti squash with italian sausage sauce.
Krista says
September 1, 2015 at 7:55 pmThis looks super tasty! I love a good baked pasta!
heather says
September 1, 2015 at 8:02 pmI would make the spinach lasagna recipe first if I won this one.
Stephanie Phelps says
September 1, 2015 at 8:39 pmI would stick with making a lasagna with this wonderful sauce!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
September 1, 2015 at 9:23 pmTalk about comfort food! I want all the cheese!
HS says
September 1, 2015 at 9:51 pmI want to make Mediterranean Flatbread Pizza.
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life says
September 1, 2015 at 10:37 pmWith ski season coming up, I’d love to use that roasted garlic and caramelized onion sauce for spaghetti and meatballs!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 9:10 amIt is so good, we had it last night for dinner!
shelly peterson says
September 1, 2015 at 10:47 pmI would make my stuffed pasta shells.
Ding Yuncin says
September 2, 2015 at 1:36 amPizza would be the prefect recipe for Mezzetta Napa Valley sauces! Yum!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
September 2, 2015 at 1:53 amI’d like the roasted garlic and caramelized onion sauce with chunks of pork over rigatoni.
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 9:10 amOh my Michelle, that sounds fantastic!
Janet W. says
September 2, 2015 at 5:08 amI would love to make my lasagna dish with this sauce!
Mai T. says
September 2, 2015 at 6:00 amI’d love to make tomato sauce for meatballs with this.
Kat says
September 2, 2015 at 8:50 amI like to make baked Rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage and I would love to try it with Mezzetta’s Spicy Marinara sauce to give it some extra heat.
Julie Waldron says
September 2, 2015 at 9:19 amI would use Parmesan, Asiago & Romano for a dipping sauce with Italian Cheese Panini Sticks.
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:16 pmYum, that sounds delicious!
Cookin Canuck says
September 2, 2015 at 9:22 amI love those Mezzetta sauces! Baked penne is something we regularly make when cooking for a crowd. It’s always popular – and so easy to put together!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:17 pmI agree – such a quick, hearty meal!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
September 2, 2015 at 9:32 amI am loving all of that cheese! I need to try the Mezzetta’s sauces one of these days. I am a huge fan of their hot chili peppers, they are part of one of my families favorite recipes 🙂
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:17 pmI’m a big fan of the peppers too – I think you’ll love the sauce!
Mandy @ Mandy's Recipe Box says
September 2, 2015 at 9:37 amI am trying this recipe soon! Looks amazing 🙂
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:17 pmThanks Mandy!
Maria says
September 2, 2015 at 10:04 amComfort food baby! This looks delicious!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:17 pmI can never get enough comfort food. Thanks Maria!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
September 2, 2015 at 10:09 amMy favourite meal! I love how cheesy and gooey it looks! If I had the sauce, I would probably do my pasta-bake, however, a good and simple spaghetti and meatballs never has any complaints!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:18 pmYum, you are right about spaghetti and meatballs!
Maureen says
September 2, 2015 at 10:32 amI would love to make a baked ravioli
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
September 2, 2015 at 10:35 amI love how easy this pasta bake is to make! Gorgeous comfort food!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:18 pmThanks Danae! I just love comfort food. 🙂
Meegan says
September 2, 2015 at 10:41 amI would make spaghetti with the Wild Mushroom sauce! Sounds delicious!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
September 2, 2015 at 11:24 amOur favorite dinner here!!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:18 pmThanks Gerry!!
Natalie says
September 2, 2015 at 12:37 pmI would love to make the Grilled Pizza with Bacon, Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onion from their website.
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 2:18 pmNatalie – that sounds delicious. One of my favorites from their website too!
Lee Mckeon says
September 2, 2015 at 1:48 pmI would make cheese ravioli and meatballs
maleficent m says
September 2, 2015 at 1:50 pmi would make chicken parm.
Lynda Del says
September 2, 2015 at 1:54 pmI would make a penne pasta bake with cheese.
Cathy Coibion says
September 2, 2015 at 3:38 pmI would make the three cheese penne bake.
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
September 2, 2015 at 6:36 pmThis is the perfect fall weather food…hearty and cheesy!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 8:04 pmThank you Cynthia!!
Judy Thomas says
September 2, 2015 at 7:37 pmI would make THREE CHEESE PENNE PASTA BAKE it sounds delicious!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
September 2, 2015 at 7:38 pmThis looks like the perfect comfort food!! Amazing!
Jenny B says
September 2, 2015 at 8:05 pmThanks Becky!
Elena says
September 2, 2015 at 8:18 pmI would make lasagna with Mezzetta Tomato and Basil sauce
Janice Cooper says
September 2, 2015 at 9:07 pmI would make a veggie lasagna
Nikki says
September 2, 2015 at 10:16 pmI would love to make lasagna with the wild mushroom sauce!
Debbie F says
September 3, 2015 at 7:42 amI think I’d make chicken parmesan with the spicy marinara sauce.
mmmmmmmmm I love spicy!
thanks!
Katerina @ Diethood says
September 3, 2015 at 7:56 amOooh that pasta looks killer! Lovin’ all the saucy goodness!
Jenny B says
September 4, 2015 at 9:49 amThanks Katerina!
Melissa says
September 3, 2015 at 10:59 amI would make angel hair pasta with the Parmesan, Asiago and Romano sauce
Arielle says
September 3, 2015 at 11:04 amI would use the Spicy Marinara sauce to make spaghetti and meatballs.
eat good 4 life says
September 3, 2015 at 11:11 amLoving all that cheese goodness!!
Angelica says
September 3, 2015 at 11:53 amI would make eggplant parmesan. Yum! I love Mezzetta’s sauces!
chris z says
September 3, 2015 at 12:45 pmi would like to make spaghetti and maeatballs
Dawn Monroe says
September 3, 2015 at 1:06 pmI’d like to try the wild mushroom sauce for spaghetti bake or lasagna.
Donna L says
September 3, 2015 at 2:07 pmI like baked ziti with Roasted Garlic & Caramelized Onions sauce.
Sheila K. says
September 3, 2015 at 2:59 pmI would make eggplant parmesan!
Liberty J says
September 3, 2015 at 6:19 pmPenne with meatballs and the sauce which is what my hubby loves!
Nana says
September 4, 2015 at 12:08 pmyummy :p
sally gearhart says
September 4, 2015 at 2:17 pmI would have to make my vegetable lasagna that my kids favorite meal! 🙂 I am gonna have to make this recipe, looks sooo yummy! 🙂
Robin W says
September 4, 2015 at 6:00 pmI would make my grandmother’s Lasagna!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
September 4, 2015 at 8:21 pmThis pasta bake looks incredible! I love the three cheeses.
dora trani says
September 5, 2015 at 9:16 amI would make the spinach lasagna recipe first if I won this one.
Raquel says
September 5, 2015 at 9:55 amThis looks amazing! I would make some backed ziti with the tomatoe and basil sauce! Happy Weekend!
Jeffrey says
September 5, 2015 at 10:11 amI’d like to use the Spicy Marinara to make eggplant Parmesan.
Amy L says
September 5, 2015 at 5:32 pmI’d like to try the Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion sauce to make one of our favorite weeknight meals – Turkey Italian Sausage with Pasta and Sauce.
Deborah Penney says
September 5, 2015 at 7:22 pmI would make speghetti!
sheila ressel says
September 5, 2015 at 7:46 pmI would use their sauces to make eggplant parmesan and lasagna.
latanya says
September 5, 2015 at 7:54 pmbaked spaghetti
Linda says
September 5, 2015 at 9:33 pmI would make spaghetti and meatballs.
bridgett wilbur says
September 6, 2015 at 1:35 pmI would make meat ball parm ….
James Robert says
September 6, 2015 at 5:19 pmTe homemade lasagna with stuffed shells sounds like a good recipe to me
James Robert says
September 6, 2015 at 5:24 pmNot sure if my comment went through but the lasagna with stuffed shells I like
Steven weber says
September 6, 2015 at 7:27 pmI would make an eggplant parmesan with the spicy sauce.
mandala says
September 7, 2015 at 12:29 pmI would make seafood pasta using the spicy marinara sauce. Thanks!
Raina Hood says
September 7, 2015 at 2:33 pmI would like the Three Cheese penne Pasta Bake
Birdiebee says
September 7, 2015 at 5:06 pmI would make a pepperoni spaghetti pie dish using the Parmesan, Asiago and Romano Sauce.
Bailey Dexter says
September 7, 2015 at 6:19 pmI would love to start off making a homemade cannelloni using the tomato & basil. Then I would love to try the THREE CHEESE PENNE PASTA BAKE!
Dana says
September 7, 2015 at 7:14 pmi would try one of the drinks like jalopeno mangorita. Very unique
al says
September 8, 2015 at 10:09 pmThree Cheese Penne..
Sarah Hayes says
September 9, 2015 at 3:47 pmId love to make baked spaghetti
Piroska says
September 9, 2015 at 8:48 pmI would make some manicotti.
Leah Shumack says
September 9, 2015 at 9:37 pmSpaghetti and Goulosh always go over really well in my house! I would probably make one of those first!
Lulu says
September 10, 2015 at 12:43 amI would make penne rigate with spicy marinara sauce & parmesan
Melody Johnson says
September 10, 2015 at 3:04 amI would make pasta with meat sauce.
David Smith says
September 10, 2015 at 4:14 amI would make our spaghetti with the Wild Mushroom sauce.
Doreen Lamoureux says
September 10, 2015 at 5:19 amI would make a nice meaty spaghetti sauce. Yum
Jennifer Ha says
September 11, 2015 at 3:21 ammake macroni and steak with it
Lauren says
September 11, 2015 at 12:09 pmI would like to try the Spicy Marinara.
Giulia says
September 12, 2015 at 9:19 amTagliatelleeeeeeeee
Giulia says
September 12, 2015 at 9:20 amTagliatelleeeeeee
Ingrid Jackson says
September 12, 2015 at 7:03 pmI would make baked spaghetti.
Blythe J says
September 13, 2015 at 5:11 pmThe roasted garlic and caramelized onion variety would be nice with our spaghetti actually. Always love to have garlic flavors for the sauce.
Yash Tanwar says
September 15, 2015 at 3:24 ami would love to make pizza , pasta, and many more stuff with spicey marinara…
Allison Allison says
September 16, 2015 at 5:34 pmI love cheese so I’d go with the three cheese pasta sauce. The spicy would be delicious too!
Dorothy Boucher says
September 16, 2015 at 5:49 pmI will be making stuffed shells with zucchini, yum!!
SueSueper says
September 17, 2015 at 1:52 pmI would like to try “The Balboa” (aka the Italian Philly) (Make That Sandwich 2010 Winner)
andrea amy says
September 18, 2015 at 9:51 amI would like to try the wild mushroom!
Ashley C says
September 19, 2015 at 9:40 pmWow! I’d happily try most of them. But I think I’d really like the Parmesan, asiago & romano sauce!
Yesenia Salgado says
September 19, 2015 at 11:07 pmI would make Italian Cheese Panini Sticks
Tina W says
September 20, 2015 at 8:04 pmI would make Pasta Al Forno with the Wild Mushroom sauce.
Amanda Sakovitz says
September 21, 2015 at 10:59 amI would make raviolis.
Betsy Rubendall Barnes says
September 21, 2015 at 7:26 pmI would use the Roasted Garlic and Caramelized onion sauce in my Hot Sausage Penne Skillet dinner. 🙂
Annemarie Z. says
September 21, 2015 at 8:16 pmI would make Chicken Cacciatore!
Jennifer Marie says
September 21, 2015 at 9:08 pmI would make rigatoni with meat sauce.
Rust says
September 21, 2015 at 9:28 pmI would make a penne pasta and italian sausage casserole.
Ally N says
September 21, 2015 at 10:45 pmMy mouth is watering looking at that pasta dish! Delicioso!!!
I think I might want to make stuffed shells or rigatoni tomorrow night!
al says
September 22, 2015 at 7:54 amTomato and Sweet Basil