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.
Three Cheese Penne Pasta Bake
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.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne (cooked al dente)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 25 ounce jar Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ pasta sauce
Instructions
- 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.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 3381kcal Calories from fat 1070 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 119g | 183% |
| Saturated Fat 67g | 335% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 378mg | 126% |
| Sodium 5453mg | 227% |
| Carbohydrate 405g | 135% |
| Dietary Fiber 27g | 108% |
| Sugars 53g | |
| Protein 165g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
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
I 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
Wow! I would make this recipe! Lots of cheese and my all-time favorite pasta shape! Do you deliver?
Jenny B says
Haha, if you’re close to Chicago I do!
Julie Wood says
I want to use the sauces to make my Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs. The Mezzetta pasta sauces look amazing!
masood anjum says
AWESOME CONTEST .LOVE TO TASTE
Madelyn says
I would make spaghetti squash with italian sausage sauce.
Krista says
This looks super tasty! I love a good baked pasta!
heather says
I would make the spinach lasagna recipe first if I won this one.
Stephanie Phelps says
I would stick with making a lasagna with this wonderful sauce!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Talk about comfort food! I want all the cheese!
HS says
I want to make Mediterranean Flatbread Pizza.
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life says
With ski season coming up, I’d love to use that roasted garlic and caramelized onion sauce for spaghetti and meatballs!
Jenny B says
It is so good, we had it last night for dinner!
shelly peterson says
I would make my stuffed pasta shells.
Ding Yuncin says
Pizza would be the prefect recipe for Mezzetta Napa Valley sauces! Yum!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I’d like the roasted garlic and caramelized onion sauce with chunks of pork over rigatoni.
Jenny B says
Oh my Michelle, that sounds fantastic!
Janet W. says
I would love to make my lasagna dish with this sauce!
Mai T. says
I’d love to make tomato sauce for meatballs with this.
Kat says
I 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
I would use Parmesan, Asiago & Romano for a dipping sauce with Italian Cheese Panini Sticks.
Jenny B says
Yum, that sounds delicious!
Cookin Canuck says
I 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
I agree – such a quick, hearty meal!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
I 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
I’m a big fan of the peppers too – I think you’ll love the sauce!
Mandy @ Mandy's Recipe Box says
I am trying this recipe soon! Looks amazing 🙂
Jenny B says
Thanks Mandy!
Maria says
Comfort food baby! This looks delicious!
Jenny B says
I can never get enough comfort food. Thanks Maria!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
My 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
Yum, you are right about spaghetti and meatballs!
Maureen says
I would love to make a baked ravioli
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
I love how easy this pasta bake is to make! Gorgeous comfort food!
Jenny B says
Thanks Danae! I just love comfort food. 🙂
Meegan says
I would make spaghetti with the Wild Mushroom sauce! Sounds delicious!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Our favorite dinner here!!
Jenny B says
Thanks Gerry!!
Natalie says
I would love to make the Grilled Pizza with Bacon, Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onion from their website.
Jenny B says
Natalie – that sounds delicious. One of my favorites from their website too!
Lee Mckeon says
I would make cheese ravioli and meatballs
maleficent m says
i would make chicken parm.
Lynda Del says
I would make a penne pasta bake with cheese.
Cathy Coibion says
I would make the three cheese penne bake.
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
This is the perfect fall weather food…hearty and cheesy!
Jenny B says
Thank you Cynthia!!
Judy Thomas says
I would make THREE CHEESE PENNE PASTA BAKE it sounds delicious!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
This looks like the perfect comfort food!! Amazing!
Jenny B says
Thanks Becky!
Elena says
I would make lasagna with Mezzetta Tomato and Basil sauce
Janice Cooper says
I would make a veggie lasagna
Nikki says
I would love to make lasagna with the wild mushroom sauce!
Debbie F says
I think I’d make chicken parmesan with the spicy marinara sauce.
mmmmmmmmm I love spicy!
thanks!
Katerina @ Diethood says
Oooh that pasta looks killer! Lovin’ all the saucy goodness!
Jenny B says
Thanks Katerina!
Melissa says
I would make angel hair pasta with the Parmesan, Asiago and Romano sauce
Arielle says
I would use the Spicy Marinara sauce to make spaghetti and meatballs.
eat good 4 life says
Loving all that cheese goodness!!
Angelica says
I would make eggplant parmesan. Yum! I love Mezzetta’s sauces!
chris z says
i would like to make spaghetti and maeatballs
Dawn Monroe says
I’d like to try the wild mushroom sauce for spaghetti bake or lasagna.
Donna L says
I like baked ziti with Roasted Garlic & Caramelized Onions sauce.
Sheila K. says
I would make eggplant parmesan!
Liberty J says
Penne with meatballs and the sauce which is what my hubby loves!
Nana says
yummy :p
sally gearhart says
I 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
I would make my grandmother’s Lasagna!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
This pasta bake looks incredible! I love the three cheeses.
dora trani says
I would make the spinach lasagna recipe first if I won this one.
Raquel says
This looks amazing! I would make some backed ziti with the tomatoe and basil sauce! Happy Weekend!
Jeffrey says
I’d like to use the Spicy Marinara to make eggplant Parmesan.
Amy L says
I’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
I would make speghetti!
sheila ressel says
I would use their sauces to make eggplant parmesan and lasagna.
latanya says
baked spaghetti
Linda says
I would make spaghetti and meatballs.
bridgett wilbur says
I would make meat ball parm ….
James Robert says
Te homemade lasagna with stuffed shells sounds like a good recipe to me
James Robert says
Not sure if my comment went through but the lasagna with stuffed shells I like
Steven weber says
I would make an eggplant parmesan with the spicy sauce.
mandala says
I would make seafood pasta using the spicy marinara sauce. Thanks!
Raina Hood says
I would like the Three Cheese penne Pasta Bake
Birdiebee says
I would make a pepperoni spaghetti pie dish using the Parmesan, Asiago and Romano Sauce.
Bailey Dexter says
I 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
i would try one of the drinks like jalopeno mangorita. Very unique
al says
Three Cheese Penne..
Sarah Hayes says
Id love to make baked spaghetti
Piroska says
I would make some manicotti.
Leah Shumack says
Spaghetti and Goulosh always go over really well in my house! I would probably make one of those first!
Lulu says
I would make penne rigate with spicy marinara sauce & parmesan
Melody Johnson says
I would make pasta with meat sauce.
David Smith says
I would make our spaghetti with the Wild Mushroom sauce.
Doreen Lamoureux says
I would make a nice meaty spaghetti sauce. Yum
Jennifer Ha says
make macroni and steak with it
Lauren says
I would like to try the Spicy Marinara.
Giulia says
Tagliatelleeeeeeeee
Giulia says
Tagliatelleeeeeee
Ingrid Jackson says
I would make baked spaghetti.
Blythe J says
The 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
i would love to make pizza , pasta, and many more stuff with spicey marinara…
Allison Allison says
I love cheese so I’d go with the three cheese pasta sauce. The spicy would be delicious too!
Dorothy Boucher says
I will be making stuffed shells with zucchini, yum!!
SueSueper says
I would like to try “The Balboa” (aka the Italian Philly) (Make That Sandwich 2010 Winner)
andrea amy says
I would like to try the wild mushroom!
Ashley C says
Wow! I’d happily try most of them. But I think I’d really like the Parmesan, asiago & romano sauce!
Yesenia Salgado says
I would make Italian Cheese Panini Sticks
Tina W says
I would make Pasta Al Forno with the Wild Mushroom sauce.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I would make raviolis.
Betsy Rubendall Barnes says
I would use the Roasted Garlic and Caramelized onion sauce in my Hot Sausage Penne Skillet dinner. 🙂
Annemarie Z. says
I would make Chicken Cacciatore!
Jennifer Marie says
I would make rigatoni with meat sauce.
Rust says
I would make a penne pasta and italian sausage casserole.
Ally N says
My mouth is watering looking at that pasta dish! Delicioso!!!
I think I might want to make stuffed shells or rigatoni tomorrow night!
al says
Tomato and Sweet Basil