Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Sausage Penne Bake. A hearty and flavorful pasta dish loaded with Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and a trio of cheeses, all baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Penne Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
Sausage Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Cook penne pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sausage Mixture: Brown Italian sausage in olive oil, add onion and garlic, then simmer with marinara, seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix cooked pasta, sausage mixture, and ricotta cheese in a bowl.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer mixture to a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, then bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest before serving, garnish with basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
- Add sautéed spinach or zucchini for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
