Italian Bow Tie Bake
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Italian Bow Tie Bake, a perfect blend of classic Italian flavors and easy weeknight convenience. Featuring tender bow tie pasta (farfalle) layered with savory ground Italian sausage, a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onion, and aromatic Italian seasoning, and a luscious trio of cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this baked pasta dish is irresistible. With its golden, bubbly cheese topping and fresh basil garnish, it’s an elegant yet simple dinner option the whole family will love. Ready in just an hour, this crowd-pleasing pasta bake is perfect for busy evenings, meal prep, or casual gatherings.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz bow tie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the bow tie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, half of the sausage-tomato mixture, and dollops of ricotta cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta, sausage-tomato mixture, and ricotta cheese.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4200 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 222.6 g | 285% | |
| Saturated Fat | 97.3 g | 486% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 673 mg | 224% | |
| Sodium | 8321 mg | 362% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 344.1 g | 125% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.8 g | 96% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.2 g | ||
| Protein | 222.8 g | 446% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3580 mg | 275% | |
| Iron | 21.8 mg | 121% | |
| Potassium | 4284 mg | 91% | |
*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.
