Italian Sausage Casserole
Indulge in the hearty flavors of comfort with this Italian Sausage Casserole, a perfect blend of savory ingredients and easy-to-follow techniques. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a robust marinara sauce infused with browned Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic Italian seasoning, this dish is layered with gooey melted mozzarella and sharp Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy delight. Baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole delivers a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this crowd-pleasing recipe is ready in under an hour and can be garnished with fresh basil for a burst of color and freshness. It's the ultimate choice for anyone craving a comforting, oven-baked Italian classic!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium (diced) Onion
- 3 (minced) Garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons (chopped, optional for garnish) Fresh basil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the Italian sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and marinara sauce mixture. Stir until evenly coated.
Pour half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the layer.
Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture on top, followed by the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the casserole is heated through.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh basil, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4128 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 222.6 g | 285% | |
| Saturated Fat | 89.3 g | 446% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 23.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 604 mg | 201% | |
| Sodium | 8399 mg | 365% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 308.2 g | 112% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.8 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 27.3 g | ||
| Protein | 222.0 g | 444% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 23% | |
| Calcium | 2670 mg | 205% | |
| Iron | 20.3 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 2408 mg | 51% | |
*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.
