Penne With Cheesy Meat Sauce

Submitted by Rachchow

"Very easy, yummy, and cheesy! Ready in 30 minutes. Note: Add 1/2 cup chopped mush rooms when sautéing garlic."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 lb penne, uncooked
• 1 - 1 1⁄2 lb ground beef
• 2 finely minced garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups smooth tomato sauce (not chunky)
• 1 pinch black pepper
• fresh basil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 1⁄2 1 1/2 cups tex mex cheese or 8 slices processed cheese
• parmesan cheese

directions

1. Cook penne until done; rinse and drain.
2. Meanwhile, brown ground beef in large skillet; remove from pan and drain. In same skillet, sauté garlic (and mush rooms) in olive oil. Return meat to skillet with mush rooms over low heat; add tomato sauce, pepper, and basil.
3. Dissolve cornstarch in 3 tablespoons milk; mix in remaining milk. Add to meat and stir over low heat until slightly thickened. Add processed cheese slices and stir until melted. Toss with hot pasta. Sprinkle generously with parmesan.
4. You can replace the penne with fusilli or elbow macaroni. Use just about any kind of cheese you want. Tex mex worked very well.

Reviews

[CHEFDLH]

We enjoyed this. Made as written with cheddar cheese. I added mushrooms because it said in the directions it wasn't in the ingredient list with how much to use so I eyeballed it. I also used 2 tsp italian seasoning and dry basil sprinkled over it and mixed in as I didn't have fresh basil. It was fast and easy and I had most of the ingredients on hand. The extra seasonings plus salt and pepper really make it as a reviewer suggested. Next time I will add onions to when I make the meat. Thanks for posting Rachchow! Enjoy! ChefDLH

 

[bmcnichol]

I needed a quick dinner and I had some ground beef pulled. This recipe fit the bill nicely. It was quick and easy to make. I followed the recipe except I cooked the garlic with the beef and used a teaspoon of already minced garlic. I also used a 15 ounce can of tomato sauce and a cup of half and half. I didn't add the cornstarch as I didn't think it needed it. I also used a cup a mozzarella, a cup of cheddar and a cup of parmesan cheese. I did add a pinch of pepper but my family thought it needed a lot more then a pinch. We also thought it could have used some other seasoning too. All in all it was a tasty, quick dinner.

 

[DeeDznr]

Good recipe to use items you have on hand. I used heavy cream instead of milk as we prefer our sauces really creamy. I prefer more 'interest' in my pasta, but my DH likes his pasta plain - like this recipe! Will make again for the DH.

 

[mycatonyx]

I really enjoyed making and eating this. My DH on the other hand is one picky eater and did not care for it all that much.

 

[EdandTheresa]

Nice change from usual Beef and Mac. Added 1 small chopped onion and 1 tbls Italian Seasoning, salt&pepper. Made for Fall Pac 07.