Cheesy Sausage and Pasta Bake
Dive into comfort food heaven with this hearty and flavorful Cheesy Sausage and Pasta Bake! Featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a rich, savory tomato sauce loaded with browned Italian sausage, fragrant garlic, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. Topped with ooey-gooey melted mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese, it bakes to golden perfection in just 20 to 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, this pasta bake is easy to prepare and bursting with irresistible flavor. Customize it with spicy sausage for added heat and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an elegant touch. Serve it warm and watch it steal the spotlight at your dinner table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams penne pasta
- 400 grams Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 400 grams crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set 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.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet and stir to combine. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, sausage-tomato sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly golden.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3408 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 172.6 g | 221% | |
| Saturated Fat | 70.2 g | 351% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 474 mg | 158% | |
| Sodium | 7924 mg | 345% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 274.9 g | 100% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.9 g | 75% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.1 g | ||
| Protein | 180.7 g | 361% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2227 mg | 171% | |
| Iron | 20.4 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 3000 mg | 64% | |
*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.
