Hearty Penne Beef Recipe

Reviewed on Feb. 01, 2013 by Lin1234

So I agree with many reviews below...I followed the recipe exact & there were two issues (both easily resolved)...First, the recipe is very bland. Good, but bland. It needs a little kick, such as more garlic, onion, peppers, garlic salt/powder...something...Then second issue was how thin the sauce was. I though I had let it simmer until it thickened enough, but I was wrong. I think the two reviews below - one saying they used half the beef broth & the other saying they used tomato paste - both were spot on. Overall, after some adjustment, I think it would be very good. I will try to make it again.

Reviewed on Jan. 26, 2013 by michaels99

This was delicious. I used whole grain pasta and only a half a can of beef broth. I was afraid it would be too watery. Next time I will use more tomato sauce and add some tomato paste. Definitely will be making this again!

Reviewed on Jan. 19, 2013 by zeldathegood

This was very good. For us I will add more cheese, more garlic and add onion the next time. I like adding the spinach - Thanks! 5 stars

Reviewed on Nov. 12, 2012 by IseNanao

Excellent! Easy to make and delicious! :)

Reviewed on Nov. 10, 2012 by Jennifer J

VERY good. Made this for meat and potato lovin men and it went over great! Even better second day. used corn instead of spinach. 2C cheese was too much - made it stringy. Second time I made with just sprinkling on top and was perfect

Reviewed on Nov. 07, 2012 by Kelleysvt

this turned out to be a really good knockoff of hamburger helper lasagne. The only changes I'd make would be to add some finely chopped onion and maybe more garlic. Wait to add the cheese until you serve it. The melted cheese makes a mess when you're serving.

Reviewed on Oct. 23, 2012 by SparkysCountryGirl

I for some reason didn't realize that this recipe is more of a fancy spaghetti type dish until I was making it. It's not bad. I like how you basically make your own sauce. I never done that before. Prolly wont make it a staple in our house but nice for a change.

Reviewed on Oct. 21, 2012 by chicker30

The best recipe

Reviewed on Oct. 02, 2012 by Garybob822

This recipe is way too bland and there is too much cheese. It needs some chopped onion and some chopped peppers to spice it up a bit. Disappointing.

Reviewed on Sep. 22, 2012 by Karen.Buske

Very good recipe. I had to leave out the salt and spinach since my brother-in-law has kidney disease. Theres way too much sodium in spinach. I was shocked to find that out. But the dish is wonderful! Thank you!

Reviewed on Sep. 06, 2012 by NurseFleming

Good! Added onion, extra garlic, fresh tomatoes! 1 cup cheese! I used tomato paste and had no problem with it being too watery!

Reviewed on Aug. 29, 2012 by tarasawchuk

It tastes good, but not so good I'd rush to make it again...i did add extra veggies and switched the white pasta for wholewheat...

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2012 by sizzlincook

This was very good! Will make it again.

As to the few who commented this was bland, perhaps if you taste your food while you are cooking and adjust the recipe to your tastes you might have better luck. Since this is a Italian based dish, You could try herbs such as basil,oregano, or parsley.

Reviewed on Jul. 26, 2012 by apoole82

DELICIOIUS! kids loved it too!

Reviewed on Jul. 07, 2012 by 30yearcook

Very bland. Like hamburger helper. Won't make again.

Reviewed on Jul. 06, 2012 by ChocolatopolusCake

Unique flavor, do not be afraid to try!

Reviewed on Jun. 01, 2012 by Pittypat5458

Easy and delicious. My husband said it was like eating pizza without the crust. Will definitely make again.

Reviewed on May. 30, 2012 by BTurner7

My 9 year old said this was better than regular spaghetti! Everyone loved it.

Reviewed on May. 25, 2012 by jujubean79

I thought this was really delicious. I did cut the broth a bit because it was a little runny. Also after adding the cheese, I put the skillet under the broiler to get the cheese brown and bubbly.

Reviewed on Apr. 14, 2012 by creampuff9

Easy to make, inexpensive and good flavor. I doubled the recipe to feed 6 of us, but I didn't double the bf broth bcuz I could tell the sauce would b too soupy. I did add red pepper flakes for a bit of zip. I would agree that this is a good recipe to use to sneak spinach into your kids...mine didn't even notice it.

Reviewed on Apr. 03, 2012 by tampateacher

I read the reviews and decided to three minced garlic cloves, the broth from Lipton's beefy onion powder mix (minus the dried onion & added fresh onions), and I cook out most of the liquid before adding the penne. It was delicious.

Reviewed on Feb. 28, 2012 by BigPickles

This recipe is very delicious my family ate every last bit.

Reviewed on Feb. 11, 2012 by Duckhunter39

My family loved this meal! Great flavor and very easy to make.

Reviewed on Jan. 28, 2012 by navywife01

simple and delicious

Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2012 by kap1013

Very easy and good!

Reviewed on Jan. 24, 2012 by jules.i.m

The flavors didn't have time to mix at all and didnt fit together. If you want spinach just stir it into your regular baked spaghetti recipe. There are much better recipes out there to try.

Reviewed on Dec. 28, 2011 by darcien007

This is also very good with picante sauce instead of tomato purree

Reviewed on Dec. 03, 2011 by kathleen ng

I did not make this but I did read the reviews. To the person who used tomato sauce, it's not the same as puree. Puree is much thicker and that might account for it being watery. For people who are concerned about salt, delete the the added salt and use low sodium products, you don't like lots of cheese, clearly, use less. A recipe is really a guide. If you like spice add the onion as one person did, add extra spices like rosemary, fennel seeds, thyme, fresh fennel. Cook to YOUR tastes and YOUR dietary needs and then write a useful review...not "1000 mg of sodium in one meal is far from healthy". Point out the high content of sodium ... fine. But that is easily fixed. Too much cheese easily fixed. Bland...useful review so people know to spice it up if they like stronger flavors.

Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2011 by Ellen Gines

I made this with ground turkey instead of beef. Everyone in my family loved it, even the 2 year old, who doesn't like anything with vegetables in it. Will definitely be making this again!

Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2011 by RandiEwing

Delicious! Easy to make and a great weeknight dinner!

Reviewed on Nov. 05, 2011 by xlsalbums

a little less cheese

Reviewed on Nov. 05, 2011 by tlbotr

I added frozen spinach that bought fresh. The leaves separated easily and crumbled well. I couldn't taste the spinach. I replaced the tomato puree with V8 juice. I sprinkled the cheese on top and baked for 10 minutes. Delicious, filling, and nutritious. I am keeping this recipe.

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2011 by kristials

I added more salt/pepper/italian seasoning and garlic and I thought it was delicious. I usually add a little more spice to recipes, regardless. Thumbs up from our family. I would definitely make this again.

Reviewed on Oct. 09, 2011 by anselr

This dish is fine, just nothing to write home about.

Reviewed on Oct. 05, 2011 by simpson5togo

Thought this had excellent flavor--I added about 1/2 cup chopped onion and fresh garlic when cooking beef, think this would fix any "blandness" anyone might experience. Also, Walmart sells tomato puree--this is a keeper for my family

Reviewed on Oct. 04, 2011 by mrslive4jc1

Very Bland tasting

Reviewed on Oct. 02, 2011 by psalmist121

Very good! I added more garlic but thought the salt, cheese and liquid amounts were just fine, contrary to other opinions. Making this one again :)

Reviewed on Sep. 30, 2011 by DebOpe

This was excellent! My family loved it.. definitely a favorite

Reviewed on Sep. 23, 2011 by M Wiley

Super good! Even the kids liked it. I did up the salt to 1/2 a teaspoon, and added 2 tablespoons of cornstach, at the end to thicken it up a bit. All and all I will definitly make it again.

Reviewed on Sep. 20, 2011 by chelsealima

Super tasty! I would agree with the other comments, there was too much cheese! I will be making this dish again but put only 4 ounces of cheese on top.

Reviewed on Sep. 18, 2011 by brulee1

I thought this was very good, but 8 ounces of cheese was way too much and we love cheese.

Reviewed on Aug. 25, 2011 by Rockamama

How often do you update your top ten food categories? These all seem to have been around forever.

Reviewed on Aug. 19, 2011 by maryang22

my family loves this. It's hearty and healthy.

Reviewed on Aug. 15, 2011 by Rockamama

Blah tasting and wa-a-y too salty!

Reviewed on Jul. 07, 2011 by tonia1956

really great! when my husband says keep it its that means great recipe thanks and keep them coming

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2011 by strayxdogxstrut

I probably won't make this again, it was okay, but a bit bland and turned out too soupy.

Reviewed on Mar. 18, 2011 by wisdomb

I used mild italian sausage instead of hamburger and it turned out great-not bland at all-finicky kids had seconds!!!

Reviewed on Mar. 07, 2011 by jenrunn

Everyone in our family loved this recipe. From the two year old to the 16 year old. It was a great way to get some spinich into their diet.

Reviewed on Feb. 17, 2011 by 10sChick

I am still smiling after eating this meal. My family of 4 is so hard to please. All have different tastes of what they like and what they don't. Everybody loved this and I was impressed myself at how easy it is to whip right on the stove top on a week night. Is it gourmet food? No. But this is a lovely little comfort food dish that is tucked away now in my favorite recipes pile! I followed the recipe exactly - no substitutions and had no problems with it being too watery as others have commented. Just a nice hearty dish in a rich sauce at the end.

Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2011 by piggies4me

Too bland. Too much cheese on the top. It was hard to serve.

Reviewed on Jan. 21, 2011 by lisabteach

I did not like this recipe at all. There are so many better recipes out there for penne beef pasta.

Reviewed on Jan. 10, 2011 by john@lyonsfamily.us

1000mg of sodium in one meal is far from healthy

Reviewed on Jan. 10, 2011 by Rockamama

I don't get the reviewer who said "it's really healthy." I found it to be salty and bland. Won't be making this again, sorry.

Reviewed on Dec. 27, 2010 by Reggie Boppy

This recipe was easy to make, but a bit too bland for my taste.

Reviewed on Dec. 27, 2010 by Lisa Ruby

This is one of our family favorites. Love that the kids will eat the spinach this way!

Reviewed on Dec. 16, 2010 by kerrynjames

The flavor in this dish was great, but mine came out soupy... I used frozen spinach instead of fresh (which obviously added more water) and tomato sauce instead of puree (which I am assuming is the same thing). To combat the moisture, I stuck it in the oven at 375 for ten minutes. That helped.

Overall, we both enjoyed the dish and I will make it again with less liquid.

Reviewed on Dec. 13, 2010 by Deborah B.

My family loved this! My 6 year old helped make it, and loved it, and she doesn't even like spaghetti. What a sneaky way to get spinach in the kids! My mom is coming over tonight, so I'll be making this for dinner.

Reviewed on Nov. 08, 2010 by Kimberly Barone

A little bland and boring. Not a big hit in our house.

Reviewed on Nov. 06, 2010 by KaSm

Tomato puree consists of tomatoes that have been briefly cooked then strained. Tomato puree is a thick liquid.

Substitutions: 1 cup tomato puree = 2 Tablespoons tomato paste plus water to make 1 cup

For this recipe, use 4 T paste and add water to make 2 cups. (15 oz. is 1 oz., or 2 T short of 2 cups) Hope this helps.

Reviewed on Nov. 06, 2010 by brazenlove

i just made it today for lunch and my husband and I loved it! It's really healthy. we paired it with spinach and tomato salad. it was superb!

Reviewed on Nov. 04, 2010 by aestill23

tomato puree is also called tomato paste...

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2010 by angelasandoval

I couldn't find tomato puree at the store I regularly shop at, so I used sauce instead, but had to let it simmer almost twice as long as recipe called for. The only thing I'd change for next time is add a little more spinach. Delicious and easy recipe!

Reviewed on Apr. 22, 2010 by nott818

This was a hit with everyone in my house. I have made it three times now. My local grocery store doesn't carry tomato puree, so I've been using sauce. I don't really care for the consistency I get with that--have to serve it with a slotted spoon as it's kinda runny. Anyone have any other suggestions? Is tomato puree a regional name--does it go by a different name (I live in Iowa)?

Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2010 by bloocat68

This is a keeper! I added crushed red pepper to mine though. Yummy! But good without too! So quick to make. Im going to double the recipe next time I make it so it lasts longer!

Reviewed on Oct. 01, 2009 by bjrozsa

I never take the time to comment on a recipe but this ine is so easy and good and I wanted to share that thought. My husband and picky son both took seconds. I added more pasta than what the recipe said but it was perfect and so easy

Reviewed on Sep. 29, 2009 by redneck30girl

Looks wonderful! Can't wait to try it! This has my favorite ingredients too!

Reviewed on Sep. 10, 2009 by Jesse and Mary

Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2008 by mschwiner

This dish pleases everyone-especially the cook! I make with whole wheat pasta and grin as my unassuming hubby "indulges" on a high-fiber, lower-fat, veggie-packed meal :)

Reviewed on Oct. 10, 2008 by bulau

this is a really good recipe.

Carol

Reviewed on Sep. 24, 2008 by 0118Lori

OMG....this is one of our favorite recipes. I made it for my neighbor and she can't stop making it either. It is very easy to make and everyone of loves it.

Reviewed on Sep. 09, 2008 by alicia3825

My husband and I loved this dish. I did not have mozzarella Cheese so I used Cheddar cheese and it was still very good. I am going to be adding it to my regular dishes! Thanks!

Reviewed on Aug. 27, 2008 by badkitty

Yummy! This was a big hit with my son and husband. I was so pleased my 5 year old son cleaned his plate and I gave him alot! I added an onion with garlic and beef and I used a skillet because I needed my Dutch oven to cook the pasta. I added some sugar and accidently added a tablespoon of Worcestershire instead of a teaspoon and it was still great!I think that 1 cup of cheese over the top would be plenty next time. Good dinner!