Easy Sausage Macaroni Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Easy Sausage Macaroni Bake, a hearty, flavorful dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich, savory tomato sauce made with Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic Italian seasoning, this pasta bake is topped with a gooey layer of melted mozzarella and zesty Parmesan cheese for a satisfying finish. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a golden, bubbly bake in the oven, it’s a simple yet delectable recipe that delivers big on taste. Serve it straight from the oven, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and watch it disappear from plates in no time. This one-pan dish is a crowd-pleasing favorite that’s easy to customize with a kick of red pepper flakes or your choice of add-ins. Perfect for meal prep or feeding a hungry family, it’s the dinner solution you’ll turn to again and again!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni 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 and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes to develop the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, sausage sauce, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until evenly combined.
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Transfer the macaroni mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3621 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 222.4 g | 285% | |
| Saturated Fat | 89.3 g | 446% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 545 mg | 182% | |
| Sodium | 8002 mg | 348% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 224.5 g | 82% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.1 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.6 g | ||
| Protein | 176.3 g | 353% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2242 mg | 172% | |
| Iron | 18.0 mg | 100% | |
| Potassium | 2043 mg | 43% | |
*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.
