Make Ahead Italian Sausage and Pasta Bake
Dive into comfort food heaven with this Make Ahead Italian Sausage and Pasta Bake, a crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with a robust, homemade tomato sauce brimming with savory Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, and zesty herbs, this dish is layered with melty mozzarella and sharp Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy indulgence. Prepped in just 20 minutes and baked to golden perfection, this pasta bake can be assembled ahead of time, making it an ideal solution for meal prep or entertaining. Serve it fresh from the oven with a sprinkle of parsley and a side of garlic bread for a comforting Italian-inspired feast.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 12 ounces Penne pasta (or other short pasta)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix it into the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage-tomato sauce mixture, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and pour the pasta mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
If preparing in advance, assemble the dish but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it heats through.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
517 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.7 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.2 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 78 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 1224 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.4 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 28.5 g | 57% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 397 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 667 mg | 14% | |
*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.
