Penne Bake with Chicken Sausage Meatballs
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this savory and satisfying Penne Bake with Chicken Sausage Meatballs! This flavorful dish combines tender al dente penne, juicy homemade chicken sausage meatballs seasoned with Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs, and a rich marinara sauce. Everything comes together under a gooey layer of melted mozzarella for the ultimate baked pasta experience. Perfectly browned meatballs are nestled into the saucy pasta before baking to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour. Serve it straight from the oven with a sprinkle of fresh basil for a comforting crowd-pleaser that’s big on taste and easy to make. Ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd, this hearty baked pasta recipe combines classic Italian flavors with a modern twist.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground chicken sausage
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (optional)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
To make the chicken sausage meatballs, combine the ground chicken sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, beaten egg, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. You should have approximately 20-25 meatballs.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside. They will finish cooking in the oven.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, marinara sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Gently fold the meatballs into the mixture.
Transfer the pasta and meatball mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking 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, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your Penne Bake with Chicken Sausage Meatballs!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3859 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 163.4 g | 209% | |
| Saturated Fat | 58.5 g | 292% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 760 mg | 253% | |
| Sodium | 8870 mg | 386% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 370.2 g | 135% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.4 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.2 g | ||
| Protein | 227.9 g | 456% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 2297 mg | 177% | |
| Iron | 25.4 mg | 141% | |
| Potassium | 2153 mg | 46% | |
*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.
