Baked Penne With Ground Beef And Tomato Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
4 cups cooked penne (about 3 cups uncooked)
2 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (or to taste)
TOMATO SAUCE
3 -4 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion
1 small green bell pepper
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 -4 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 (28 ounce) cans plum tomatoes (undrained and chopped)
1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 large bay leaf
salt and black pepper

Preparation

For the sauce; heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat; add in onion, bell pepper, oregano, basil and chili flakes (if using) saute for about 5 minutes (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes of cooking).
Add in the tomato paste and stir for about 1 minute.
Add in all remaining ingredients; bring to a boil and simmer (UNCOVERED) on low heat for about 1-1/2 hours.
Season with salt and pepper then remove the bay leaf.
At this point you can cool then refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Set oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a medium casserole dish (or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish).
In a large skillet cook the ground beef until well browned, breaking up with a spoon until crumbled; drain fat.
To the skillet add in about 5 cups prepared tomato sauce (more is okay, or just go ahead and use the whole amount of sauce if desired more sauce will never hurt lol!) cook for about 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat.
Remove from heat and add in 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese; stir with wooden spoon to combine.
Add in the cooked penne pasta; toss to combine with sauce and cheese.
Transfer to baking dish.
Bake for about 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese then about 1/2 cup (or more) mozzarella cheese, return to oven and cook 5-8 minutes more or until the cheese is melted.
Delicious!