Extra Cheesy Penne and Mozzarella Casserole (2024)

You can throw together this easy, cheesy, hearty Penne and Mozzarella Casserole in 45 minutes, tops. You don’t have to cook the sauce, just stir some spices in and call it good. This is a great meatless Monday meal!

After posting my 30 Minute Pea Soup last week, I got an email from someone named Gary (hi Gary!) asking me to take him off my email list. “I like recipes with meat not with out meat.”

Fair enough. So I sent him some of my top recipes with meat in them (like thisCuban Mojo Marinated Pork, Beef Barley Soup, andAsian Pork Tenderloin with Ginger Glaze)and explained that I like meat too. It’s good stuff. He said, “oh ok,I thought with that [pea soup] you might have been a vegetarian, I am a meatatarian.”

Well Gary. Now you are going to think I’m a big fat liar, because today’s recipe also happens to be meatless.

When my BFFSarah dropped off her kids last week (I watched them while she and her husbandvacationed in Sweden), Sarah also dropped off this ultra-cheesy casserole. It was delicious. I kept digging around with my fork for the sausage or whatever it was, but couldn’t find any. Just cheesy saucy goodness.

I asked for the recipe when she got back. She texted me her recipe and one stepsaid, “Grate an entire Costco 2-pack of fresh mozzarella.” I still had to double check. “You mean you did both logs of cheese in the casserole. Not just one?” “Yes, yes I did.” She said that she threw the recipe togetherin an effort to use up the 2-pound package of fresh mozzarella she had bought at Costco so that it didn’t spoil while they were gone.I like how you roll Sarah.

(This should not be surprising. Sarah and I were freshman roommates and didn’t like each other when we met. I eventually changed my mind when I saw how much she ate for breakfast every morning at the dining center. Girl can pack it down. I knew we would be great friends from then on.)

So anyway, sorry Gary. Throw some sausage in if you want, but I swear you don’t need it. This is one hearty casserole.

(Also, to clarify, I only added 1 and 1/2 pounds of cheese in the recipe below. Because I want to live to see my grandkids, you know. Gary, you should add the full 2 pounds.)

You can see that I stirred up the sauce right in the casserole dish because of all the burned sauce on the edges. Oops. If that bugs you then use a bowl to combine everything and then dump in the dish.

If you make any of my recipes,share iton Instagram using the hashtag #TheFoodCharlatan so I can see it! I love that.

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Threeyears ago: Deep Dish Buttermilk Pancake<< (read about the time I let my kids roll away in a cart at Costco.)Fouryears ago: French Onion SoupFiveyears ago:Irish Soda Bread with Browned Butter

Here are some other casserole ideas you will love!

Easy Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna <<this is SO easy and a family classic. Eric grew up on this stuff.

Tomato Basil Summer Veggie Casserole << It doesn’t have to be summer to make this casserole! Sub whatever veggies you have on hand! Makes a TON.

Easy Cheesy Asparagus Tortellini Bake << you don’t have to boil the tortellini. Just throw it in and bake.

More cheesy pasta to love!

Healthier Cheesy Baked Ziti from My Gluten Free Kitchen
One Pot Penne Pasta with Tomato and Basil from The Little Kitchen
Tomato Eggplant Zucchini Bake with Garlic and Parmesan from Well Plated

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