Oh, comfort food! There’s nothing quite like a big, bubbling dish of cheesy pasta bake, right? It’s the kind of meal that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a chilly evening or brings everyone running to the dinner table. But let’s be honest, if you’ve ever made a pasta bake with beef, you might have encountered a frustrating problem: dry, tough meat. Ugh, it can totally ruin an otherwise perfect dish! I’ve been there, pulling out a beautiful casserole only to find the beef cubes resembling sad little rocks instead of tender bites.

Well, I’m here to tell you those days are over! I finally cracked the code to achieving perfectly juicy, tender beef in a pasta bake, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share this game-changing Beefy Cheesy Penne recipe with you. This dish combines hearty penne pasta, a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce, and flavorful, never-dry beef, all baked together until golden and bubbly. Get ready for a new family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Beefy Cheesy Penne is a Keeper

Aside from solving the dreaded dry meat dilemma, there are so many reasons this Beefy Cheesy Penne recipe is destined for your regular rotation:

It’s Incredibly Comforting: Layers of pasta, creamy cheese sauce, and tender beef are the definition of cozy. It’s soul food at its finest.
Surprisingly Quick: Despite feeling like a fancy baked dish, it comes together in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike adore the cheesy, meaty goodness. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Minimal Mess: Everything (or almost everything) happens in one oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, meaning fewer dishes to wash. Win!
That Secret Technique: Seriously, the simple sear step makes all the difference in the beef’s texture. You’ll never go back to just browning it!

Gathering Your Ingredients for Beefy Cheesy Penne

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients you likely already have or can easily find at any grocery store. The magic happens when these humble components come together to create something truly spectacular. We’re building layers of flavor and texture, starting with perfectly cooked pasta and ending with a bubbly cheese topping.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring this amazing Beefy Cheesy Penne to life:

Penne Pasta: One pound is just right for this dish. Penne is great because its shape holds onto the creamy sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Cook it just until al dente – that means it still has a slight bite to it. This is crucial because it will finish cooking briefly under the broiler, and you don’t want mushy pasta!
Olive Oil: A tablespoon is used to sear our beef and sauté our aromatics. Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor base.
Boneless Beef Steak: One pound, cut into 1-inch cubes. The key here is selecting a steak cut that benefits from a quick sear. Cuts like sirloin, ribeye, or even a tender chuck steak trimmed of excess fat work well. The quality of your steak will directly impact the tenderness, especially with our unique searing method.
Small Onion & Garlic: These classic aromatics form the flavor foundation of our creamy sauce. Chopped onion cooked until softened and fragrant minced garlic are non-negotiable flavor boosters.
All-Purpose Flour: Three tablespoons of flour create a roux with the olive oil and butter, which is the thickening agent for our luxurious cheese sauce. This simple step ensures the sauce is rich and clings perfectly to the pasta and beef.
Milk: Three cups of milk are whisked into the roux to create a smooth béchamel base for our cheese sauce. Whole milk will give you the richest, creamiest sauce, but 2% milk works too.
Shredded Cheese: Two cups, divided. Mozzarella is a classic for its amazing melt, but an Italian blend (like mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan) adds extra depth of flavor. We’ll stir most of it into the sauce for creamy goodness and save some for that gorgeous bubbly top.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings! We use salt for seasoning the pasta water and then salt and pepper to enhance the flavor of the sauce and beef. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go!
Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish. A sprinkle of fresh green parsley adds a pop of color and a touch of fresh flavor to the finished dish. Don’t skip it!

Crafting Your Beefy Cheesy Penne: Step-by-Step

Ready to make the most tender and delicious Beefy Cheesy Penne of your life? Follow these steps, paying close attention to that crucial beef searing technique!

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Get the Pasta Going: Grab a large pot – one big enough to handle a pound of pasta comfortably. Fill it with water, add a generous pinch of salt (this seasons the pasta from the inside out!), and bring it to a rolling boil. Add your penne and cook it according to the package directions, but make sure to cook it just until it’s al dente. This means it should still have a slight chew in the center. As soon as it hits that perfect point, drain the pasta, but here’s a pro tip: scoop out about 1/2 cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain it completely. This liquid gold can help you adjust the sauce consistency later if needed.
Execute the Game-Changing Beef Sear: While your pasta is bubbling away, heat a large oven-safe skillet or a Dutch oven over high heat. This is where the magic happens for tender beef! Add the olive oil and let it get shimmering hot. Add your 1-inch beef cubes in a single layer. It’s super important not to crowd the pan – if you have too many cubes, they’ll steam instead of sear, and we want that beautiful brown crust! Cook them for just 1 to 2 minutes per side. You’re looking for a nice brown color on the outside, but the inside should still be quite rare. This quick, high-heat sear locks in the juices. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside. Don’t worry that it’s not cooked through; it will finish cooking in the sauce later, and this initial sear is precisely what prevents it from drying out during that final cooking time!
Build the Flavor Base: Reduce the heat in the same skillet to medium. Add your chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they’ve softened and become translucent, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Now, add your minced garlic. Cook for just one more minute, stirring constantly, until you can smell its wonderful fragrance. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into the cooked onions and garlic. Cook this mixture, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. This cooks out the raw flour taste. Now, gradually whisk in the 3 cups of milk. Start by adding a small amount and whisking until it’s smooth before adding more. Continue whisking until all the milk is incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. As it simmers, it will begin to thicken. Cook until it reaches a lovely, creamy consistency.
Add the Cheese (Mostly!): Remove the skillet from the heat. This is important so the cheese melts smoothly without becoming greasy. Stir in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheese, along with the salt and pepper. Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and luxurious. If your sauce looks a little too thick at this point, remember that reserved pasta water? Stir in a tablespoon or two at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Combine Everything: Add the drained, al dente penne pasta and the seared beef cubes back into the skillet with the warm, cheesy sauce. Gently stir everything together until the pasta and beef are evenly coated in that delicious sauce. Make sure the beef is nestled throughout the pasta.
Top with More Cheese: Take the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the pasta and beef mixture in the skillet. This layer will become beautifully melted and bubbly under the broiler.
Broil to Perfection: Carefully place the skillet under a preheated broiler. This part goes fast, so watch it like a hawk! Broil for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and has achieved some lovely golden-brown spots. This step adds fantastic texture and that classic baked pasta look.
Rest and Garnish: Once the top is perfectly broiled, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Let it stand for just a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to settle slightly. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Then, dish it up and prepare for happy faces!

Tips for Perfect Beefy Cheesy Penne Every Time

Getting this Beefy Cheesy Penne right is easy, especially with that searing trick. Here are a few extra pointers to ensure your success:

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: As mentioned, al dente is key. The pasta will absorb more sauce and finish cooking under the broiler. Overcooked pasta can become mushy in the bake.
Crowding the Pan is the Enemy: When searing the beef, work in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature, leading to steaming instead of searing, which is what we want to avoid to keep the beef tender.
Cheese Choice Matters: While mozzarella is classic for its stretch, an Italian blend often offers more flavor complexity thanks to cheeses like provolone or parmesan mixed in. Use cheese you love!
Adjust Sauce Thickness with Pasta Water: That reserved starchy pasta water is your friend. If your sauce feels too thick after adding the cheese, whisk in a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the perfect creamy consistency.
Watch the Broiler Closely: Broilers are powerful! They can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds. Keep a close eye on the pasta during this step.

Serving Suggestions for Beefy Cheesy Penne

This Beefy Cheesy Penne is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A fresh green salad is always a good choice to balance the richness. You could also serve it with some easy kale salad or crispy roasted vegetables like our crispy roasted Brussels sprouts or basic roasted veggies. Don’t forget some crusty bread or homemade garlic naan for soaking up that amazing sauce!

Your Beefy Cheesy Penne Questions Answered (FAQ)

Got questions about making the perfect Beefy Cheesy Penne? I’ve got answers!

Can I use ground beef instead of steak?

Yes, you absolutely can! If you prefer ground beef or it’s what you have on hand, brown 1 pound of lean ground beef in the skillet after cooking the pasta. Drain off any excess grease. Then, proceed with the recipe, adding the ground beef back in step 6 with the pasta. While the searing technique specifically works wonders for steak cubes, using lean ground beef minimizes dryness issues. If you love hearty beef dishes, you might also enjoy our Ultimate Beefy Mac Casserole.

What kind of beef steak is best for this recipe?

Good question! The key is to use a cut that will remain tender with the searing method. Boneless sirloin steak, ribeye, or even a well-trimmed chuck steak cut into uniform 1-inch cubes work well. Avoid cuts that require long, slow cooking to become tender, as they will likely be tough with this quick method.

How do I prevent the meat from getting dry?

Ah, the secret! The technique used in this recipe is the key: searing the beef cubes quickly over high heat until just browned on the outside but still rare inside. This creates a crust that helps trap the juices. The meat then finishes cooking gently within the creamy sauce. This prevents the long cooking time that often dries out beef in baked pasta dishes.

Can I make Beefy Cheesy Penne ahead of time?

Yes, you can! You can prepare the recipe up to the point of adding the final cheese layer (step 7). Let the mixture cool completely, then cover the skillet tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and broil as directed, keeping in mind it might take slightly longer to heat through, so monitor it closely or consider briefly baking it at 350°F (175°C) until heated before broiling for the top crust.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat individual portions, the microwave works well. For larger portions or to reheat in the oven, place the pasta in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of milk or broth if it seems dry, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Enjoy Your Homemade Beefy Cheesy Penne!

There you have it! A simple, delicious, and foolproof recipe for Beefy Cheesy Penne that guarantees tender, juicy beef every single time. It’s a comforting classic elevated with one easy trick. I hope you love making and eating this dish as much as I do.

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below! Did the searing trick work wonders for you? What sides did you serve it with? I love hearing from you!