Baked Penne

Baked Penne - quick and easy weeknight meal. Penne pasta, Italian sausage, onion, bell pepper, spaghetti sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese. SO good! Everyone cleaned their plate!!

I was recently challenged by the folks who make Philadelphia Cooking Creme to swap out one of our usual dinner meals with one of their Fresh Family Favorite meals.  I have never tried Philly Cooking Creme, so I was definitely up to the challenge!

Philly posts new Fresh Family Favorite recipes each month.  This month they are featuring Creamy Chicken Florentine, Baked Penne, and Shrimp & Broccoli Fettuccine.  I decided on the Baked Penne, since I had everything at the house for it. This dish couldn't have been easier.  It was so simple that Chicken Legs said even he could make it.  (I might take him up on that next time.)  The verdict?  Two thumbs up!  The cooking creme added a ton of flavor and make the pasta wonderfully creamy.  I am already thinking of all the recipes that I could use this in.  I can't believe that I waited so long to give the Philadelphia Cooking Creme a try!  If you are still on the hunt for a Valentine's Day dinner - give this a try!  You won't regret it!

Yield: serves 4

Baked Penne

prep time: 10 MINScook time: 20 MINStotal time: 30 mins

ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. extra-lean ground beef or Italian Sausage
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup green peppers (I left this out b/c I don't like green peppers)
• 1 jar(24 oz.) spaghetti sauce
• 1 tub(10 oz.) Philadelphia Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme, divided (I used reduced fat)
• 1 cup Kraft Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
• 3 cups cooked penne pasta

instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Brown meat with vegetables in large nonstick skillet. 
3. Stir in spaghetti sauce, 3/4 cup cooking creme and 1/2 cup mozzarella; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted. 
4. Add pasta; mix lightly. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole; top with remaining cooking creme and mozzarella. Cover. 
5. Bake 20 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 15 min.

http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/02/baked-penne-and-50-grocery-card.html

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Kraft foods is providing the prize for this program at no cost to me. 

This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft foods or its affiliates, but solely by Plain Chicken.

I am one of 9 bloggers selected by Kraft Foods to participate in the Philadelphia Cooking Creme recipe program.

While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own, and I have not been paid to post positive comments.