Gourmet Baked Penne Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Gourmet Baked Penne Pasta recipe, a crowd-pleasing dish that combines layers of tender al dente pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich, aromatic marinara sauce. Enhanced with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture and topped with gooey, golden mozzarella, this baked pasta is irresistibly cheesy and full of flavor. Perfect for a family dinner or a special gathering, this recipe is easy to prepare in just one hour and serves six hearty portions. The addition of fresh parsley and Parmesan adds a gourmet touch to each bite, making this dish a flavorful and satisfying masterpiece. Serve it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete, restaurant-worthy meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta to al dente according to package instructions, typically 1-2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Stir in the marinara sauce and return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, the egg, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
In the greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly on top. Pour half of the sausage marinara sauce over the ricotta and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Repeat the layers with the remaining penne pasta, ricotta mixture, sausage marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
Let the baked penne rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
685 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 46.2 g | 59% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.8 g | 99% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 160 mg | 53% | |
| Sodium | 1246 mg | 54% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.9 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g | ||
| Protein | 37.2 g | 74% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 433 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 421 mg | 9% | |
*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.
