21 Cheesy Beef Penne Pasta
If you’re anything like me, cheesy beef penne pasta has a special place in your heart—like the kind of comfort food that practically gives you a warm hug before you even take a bite.
It’s cozy, it’s hearty, it’s melty, and it’s the perfect start to pretty much any weeknight dinner conversation.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, your best friend, or just your hungry self at 10 p.m. (no judgment!), these 21 cheesy beef penne pasta ideas are here to spark inspiration.
Some of these ideas are quick, some are indulgent, and some are just downright fun—but all of them revolve around that magical combo of tender beef, perfectly cooked penne, and enough cheese to make your heart flutter.
So grab your biggest skillet, put on your comfy socks, and let’s dive into pasta paradise.
1. Classic Cheesy Beef Penne Bake
Let’s start with the OG. Brown your beef, toss in garlic, add marinara, fold in cooked penne, top with mozzarella and parmesan, and bake until bubbly. It tastes like childhood, comfort, and Sunday nights all rolled into one pasta dish.
2. Three-Cheese Garlic Penne & Beef
Mozzarella for meltiness. Parmesan for sharpness. Ricotta for creaminess. Add garlic and ground beef and you’ve got a dish that feels like a warm Italian hug. Don’t skip the ricotta swirl—it makes the sauce chef’s kiss.
3. Cheesy Beef Alfredo Penne
If Alfredo is your guilty pleasure, try swapping marinara for creamy Alfredo sauce. Add seasoned beef, cracked black pepper, and penne—it’s like fettuccine Alfredo’s cooler, beefier cousin.
4. Taco-Inspired Cheesy Beef Penne
Think taco pasta: taco seasoning, corn, black beans, salsa, cheddar, and beef all mixed with penne. Add sour cream on top and you’ve got a fusion fiesta. Trust me—it’s addictive.
5. Baked Four-Cheese Beef Penne Lasagna-Style
Layer your penne, ricotta, beef marinara, mozzarella, and provolone like a lasagna. The pasta shape keeps things casual, but the flavor? Totally next-level.
6. Creamy Tomato Basil Beef Penne
Tomato basil sauce meets Italian-seasoned beef and gooey cheese. Add a splash of heavy cream for a velvety texture. This is the kind of dish you make when you want something fancy but still want to cook in sweatpants.
7. Philly Cheesesteak-Style Beef Penne
Sauté onions, peppers, seasoned beef, and mix with provolone. Add penne and broil for a minute to melt everything together. It tastes exactly like a cheesesteak, but… pasta-fied.
8. Smoky Chipotle Cheesy Beef Penne
Add chipotle peppers in adobo, cheddar cheese, and ground beef to your sauce. Smoky, cheesy, and downright unforgettable. If you love a little heat, this one’s for you.
9. Spinach & Cheesy Beef Penne Skillet
For those moments when you pretend you’re eating healthy—add a few handfuls of spinach. The cheese still wins, but the spinach makes you feel slightly saint-like.
10. Cheesy Beef Penne With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
The slight sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes paired with beef and mozzarella creates a bright, bold pasta experience. Add basil and it instantly tastes gourmet.
11. Cheesy Beef Penne Mac ’n’ Cheese
Yes, you read that right. Beef penne homemade mac and cheese sauce. It’s comfort food turned up to 100. Add paprika for color and smoke.
12. Mediterranean-Style Cheesy Beef Penne
Ground beef meets feta, olives, cherry tomatoes, oregano, and penne. The feta gets slightly melty and the flavors are fresh, salty, and delightful.
13. Chili-Cheese Beef Penne
Make a quick chili (beef, beans, tomatoes, seasoning) and mix with penne. Top with cheese and bake. It tastes like game day in pasta form.
14. Cheesy Beef Penne With Mushrooms
Sauté mushrooms with thyme and garlic before mixing everything with beef and cheese. Earthy, decadent, and perfect for mushroom lovers.
15. Cajun Cheesy Beef Penne
Season your beef and sauce with Cajun seasoning. Add bell peppers and cheddar for a bold, spicy, ultra-satisfying pasta.
16. Cheesy Beef Penne With Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions cheese beef? Absolute magic. The sweetness of the onions melts beautifully into the cheesy pasta. It’s comfort food royalty.
17. BBQ Cheesy Beef Penne
Mix BBQ sauce with marinara, ground beef, cheddar, and penne. It’s smoky, tangy, and surprisingly delicious—like a backyard barbecue crashed into Italy.
18. Pesto Cheesy Beef Penne
Pesto mozzarella seasoned beef penne the easiest gourmet dinner ever. Add cherry tomatoes to brighten things up.
19. Loaded Baked Potato-Inspired Beef Penne
Add beef, cheddar, chives, bacon pieces, and a dollop of sour cream on top. It’s like a loaded baked potato but ten times more comforting.
20. Greek Yogurt Cheesy Beef Penne
Use Greek yogurt for creaminess instead of heavy cream—healthier, tangy, and still super cheesy. Great for weeknights when you want something lighter but still satisfying.
21. One-Pan Cheesy Beef Penne
The easiest of all: cook your beef, add uncooked penne, sauce, broth, and cheese all in one pan. Let it simmer until the pasta is tender and everything is perfectly melty. Minimal effort. Maximum joy.
Final Thoughts
Whether you stick with the classics or try something bold and unexpected, these 21 cheesy beef penne pasta ideas are here to bring warmth, flavor, and cheesy goodness to your table.
So next time you’re not sure what to cook, think about beef, think about cheese, think about penne… and let your cravings lead the way.
