Creamy Tomato Baked Penne Pasta & Cheesy Garlic Bread

I love trying new recipes and this one definitely didn't disappoint! It was a lot like the Upside Down Spaghetti that we like so much but all mixed together... with beef... and a different noodle. Lol! It was relatively easy to put together. Not as easy as some of my other recipes, but it was still pretty easy! I made Cheesy Garlic Bread to go with it because we had it at Chef Tom's the other night and my husband really loved it. I thought, "I can make this!" The pasta recipe became Rigatoni for us (because it was on sale and it's a whole lot like Penne) and is courtesy of Mindika Moments. The original recipe can be found here!

CREAMY TOMATO BAKED PENNE PASTA
(Mindi Original)

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce
1 12 oz. bag penne pasta
4 oz. cream cheese softened
2 C. mozzarella cheese
½ C. Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large sauté pan, brown the beef until fully cooked
3. Add the cream cheese to the beef, stirring until melted and incorporated into the beef.
4. Add the marinara sauce to the beef mixture; heat through.
5. Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the sauce, mix well.
6. Transfer pasta and sauce to a 9x13 pan.
7. Top with mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

CHEESY GARLIC BREAD

CRUST
1 pkg. Dry yeast (2 tsp. = 1 pkg.)
2 Tbsp. Lukewarm water
~Dissolve yeast in warm water.
1 egg
1 tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Sugar
1 Tbsp. Shortening or oil
1 cup boiling water
3 cups flour

Beat egg, add shortening, salt, sugar. Slowly stir in boiling water. Cool to lukewarm and add yeast mixture. Add ½ flour; stir (or beat with electric mixer) until smooth. Add remaining flour. Knead to soft dough. Roll to fit pan. Spread light coating of oil over dough on pan. Let rise 15 minutes. Will rising, spread on mixture of butter and garlic to your personal taste preference. Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning and top with Mozzarella Cheese. Cook at 425 for 15 - 20 minutes.