Oven baked 3-ingredients lazy brie penne is the kind of weeknight recipe that earns a permanent place in the rotation because it turns a short ingredient list into something rich, cozy, and surprisingly elegant. Brie melts into a velvety sauce that clings to the penne, and baking everything together gives the top that appealing golden finish. It feels a little like a shortcut baked pasta and a little like a baked brie pasta mash-up, which is exactly why it works so well when you want comfort food without much effort.
This pasta is rich enough to serve with a crisp green salad dressed with lemony vinaigrette or a pile of simple roasted broccoli or green beans to balance the creaminess. If you want to round it out further, add warm crusty bread for scooping up the extra cheese sauce, and pair it with sparkling water, iced tea, or a dry white wine.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredients Lazy Brie Penne
Servings: 4
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
8 ounces brie cheese, rind trimmed if desired, cut into pieces
2 cups marinara sauce
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until just shy of al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta.
2. Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of a medium baking dish. Add the drained penne and stir gently to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
3. Scatter the brie pieces evenly over the top, tucking some between the pasta so the cheese melts throughout the dish.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the brie is fully melted and the top is bubbling and lightly golden. Let the pasta stand for 5 minutes, then stir gently so the melted brie blends into a creamy sauce before serving.
Variations & Tips
Keep the rind or trim it: Brie rind is edible and will melt into the dish, though it can leave a slightly more pronounced earthy note. If you want the smoothest, creamiest sauce, trim most of it away before cutting the cheese into pieces.
Add a little texture: If you like contrast in a soft baked pasta, scatter a handful of plain breadcrumbs over the top before baking. They will toast as the brie melts and give the casserole a more defined crust.
Make it more substantial: Stir in cooked shredded chicken, browned Italian sausage, or sautéed mushrooms with the marinara before baking if you want to turn this into a heartier one-dish meal.
Choose your sauce carefully: Since there are only three ingredients, the flavor of the marinara matters. Use one with a balanced acidity and good tomato flavor so the richness of the brie does not make the finished dish feel flat.
Undercook the pasta slightly: This is the most useful trick in baked pasta recipes. Pulling the penne from the water just before al dente keeps it from turning too soft as it finishes in the oven.