Penne Sausage and Ham Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Penne Sausage and Ham Casserole—a hearty, flavor-packed dish that's perfect for family dinners or potlucks. This casserole combines tender penne pasta with savory Italian sausage, smoky diced ham, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and herbs. Topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, it bakes to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour. Easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, this meal is ideal for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead for busy weeknights. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, this cheesy pasta bake will quickly become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz Italian sausage (ground or removed from casing)
- 1 cup ham (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or a light layer of olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the diced ham and cook for another 2 minutes to warm through.
Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet, followed by the heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
Transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese evenly over the layer.
Add the remaining half of the pasta and sauce on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4488 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 257.0 g | 329% | |
| Saturated Fat | 121.1 g | 606% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 757 mg | 252% | |
| Sodium | 9867 mg | 429% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300.9 g | 109% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.8 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.1 g | ||
| Protein | 218.5 g | 437% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2689 mg | 207% | |
| Iron | 20.2 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 2849 mg | 61% | |
*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.
