Baked Sausage Penne
Hearty, comforting, and bursting with flavor, this Baked Sausage Penne is the ultimate weeknight dinner that will delight the entire family! Tender penne pasta is tossed in a rich marinara sauce loaded with savory Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, and a hint of spice from crushed red pepper flakes. Layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese, this baked pasta masterpiece is cooked to golden perfection in the oven. Simple to prepare with just 15 minutes of prep, this cheesy, baked Italian classic makes a satisfying meal for busy evenings or casual gatherings. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve warm for an irresistible dish that pairs wonderfully with a crisp side salad or garlic bread.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine the cooked pasta and the sausage marinara sauce in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and layer the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over it.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3613 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 187.6 g | 241% | |
| Saturated Fat | 71.9 g | 360% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 467 mg | 156% | |
| Sodium | 8518 mg | 370% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 295.2 g | 107% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.3 g | 72% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.9 g | ||
| Protein | 186.0 g | 372% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2264 mg | 174% | |
| Iron | 20.0 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 1938 mg | 41% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
