Italian Sausage and Pasta Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Italian Sausage and Pasta Casserole—a crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender penne pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich, aromatic marinara sauce. Layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheese, this baked pasta casserole is a cheese lover's dream. Infused with classic Italian seasonings and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, it’s a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Ready in just an hour, this easy-to-make recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, cozy gatherings, or meal prepping. Serve straight from the oven garnished with fresh parsley for a deliciously rustic presentation that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Perfect keywords include "Italian sausage casserole," "baked pasta recipe," and "easy comfort food."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, following the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage sauce. Stir until well coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the pasta and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3994 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 214.0 g | 274% | |
| Saturated Fat | 88.4 g | 442% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 618 mg | 206% | |
| Sodium | 8817 mg | 383% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 314.4 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.8 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.3 g | ||
| Protein | 214.5 g | 429% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3282 mg | 252% | |
| Iron | 20.3 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 2207 mg | 47% | |
*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.
