Italian Sausage Noodle Bake
Dive into comfort food bliss with this hearty Italian Sausage Noodle Bake, a crowd-pleasing casserole that's perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks. Featuring al dente egg noodles smothered in a rich marinara sauce, savory Italian sausage, and sautéed vegetables, this dish is layered with gooey mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy indulgence. The addition of Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes brings a subtle depth of flavor, while a golden baked topping elevates the dish to irresistible perfection. Easy to prepare in under an hour, this recipe is a satisfying, make-ahead meal that's sure to become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 12 ounces egg noodles (or any short pasta like penne or rotini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 medium bell pepper (diced, any color)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish, optional)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a light layer of olive oil or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles with the sausage and marinara mixture. Mix well to evenly distribute the sauce and sausage.
Transfer half of the noodle and sauce mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the layer. Add the remaining noodle mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
545 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.4 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.6 g | 68% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 103 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 1461 mg | 64% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.7 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g | ||
| Protein | 28.5 g | 57% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 386 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 303 mg | 6% | |
*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.
