Pasta Rustica with Chicken Sausage and Three Cheeses
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Pasta Rustica with Chicken Sausage and Three Cheeses—a hearty, baked pasta casserole that combines robust Italian-inspired ingredients in every bite. This dish layers tender al dente penne with savory chicken sausage, a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, and an irresistible blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Finished with a bubbly, golden crust, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests. Simple yet flavorful, it’s a one-dish wonder that brings comfort to the table, ready in just under an hour. Garnish with fresh basil for a bright, aromatic finish, and savor the warm, cheesy perfection of this ultimate pasta bake.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 links chicken sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes to keep the pasta al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Slice the chicken sausages into 1/2-inch rounds and cook them until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes fragrant.
Add the cooked chicken sausage back into the skillet with the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Mix until smooth and well blended.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the sausage tomato sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta, followed by half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with the tomato sauce on top.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3353 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 150.4 g | 193% | |
| Saturated Fat | 62.2 g | 311% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 551 mg | 184% | |
| Sodium | 6851 mg | 298% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 332.8 g | 121% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.4 g | 98% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.7 g | ||
| Protein | 187.3 g | 375% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2957 mg | 227% | |
| Iron | 24.1 mg | 134% | |
| Potassium | 3961 mg | 84% | |
*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.
