Baked Skillet Penne
Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Skillet Penne, a hearty one-pan dish that's as easy to make as it is satisfying. Tender penne pasta is coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with the bold flavors of Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano. Topped with a luscious layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this meal bakes to bubbly, golden perfection in the oven. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, this quick-prep recipe highlights the convenience of a single skillet while delivering restaurant-quality flavor. Serve straight from the skillet, garnished with fresh basil, for a crowd-pleasing dinner that’s irresistibly cheesy, savory, and comforting.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then crumble the Italian sausage into the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the fat in the skillet.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix well. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.6 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.2 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 78 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 1222 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.9 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.1 g | ||
| Protein | 28.2 g | 56% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 394 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 661 mg | 14% | |
*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.
