Classic Baked Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this **Classic Baked Pasta** recipe, a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings. Featuring tender penne or rigatoni pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a robust homemade tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and aromatic Italian herbs, this recipe is layered with gooey mozzarella and nutty parmesan for a cheesy, oven-baked perfection. With its golden crust and irresistible layers, this baked pasta is simple to prepare yet packed with bold, rich flavors. Garnished with fresh basil, it’s sure to become a crowd-pleaser. Ideal for meal prep, leftovers reheat beautifully, making it as practical as it is delicious. Ready in just over an hour and serving six, this classic pasta bake is your new go-to recipe for a comforting, cheesy Italian-inspired meal.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 500 grams Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 800 grams crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 250 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 10 grams fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 6-8 minutes.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Add oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine the cooked pasta and sauce in the pot, mixing well to ensure all pasta is coated with sauce.
Transfer half of the pasta-sauce mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture and then top with the rest of the mozzarella and all of the parmesan cheese.
Cover the dish with 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 on top.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3810 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 259.6 g | 333% | |
| Saturated Fat | 102.4 g | 512% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 626 mg | 209% | |
| Sodium | 9089 mg | 395% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 195.9 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.0 g | 71% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.6 g | ||
| Protein | 173.4 g | 347% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2620 mg | 202% | |
| Iron | 17.7 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 3259 mg | 69% | |
*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.
