Description
The Italian Sausage Penne Bake is a quintessential comfort food dish that blends the robust flavors of Italian sausage with the creamy richness of mozzarella cheese and the perfect texture of penne pasta. Ideal for a family dinner, this bake is both satisfying and easy to make, promising to become a go-to meal for both relaxed weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz box Penne pasta
- 2 lb Hot Italian Sausage (sweet or mild can be substituted)
- 24 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1½ tsp basil
- 1½ tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparing the Oven and Casserole Dish Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cooking the Sausage Remove the sausage from its casing and add it to a large skillet. Crumble and cook over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain the grease, reserving 2 tablespoons to use later.
- Sautéing Onions and Garlic Return the reserved 2 tablespoons of sausage grease to the skillet. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions turn translucent.
- Adding Tomatoes and Seasoning Stir the diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Simmer the mixture over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Combining Sausage with Tomato Mixture Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preparing the Pasta Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, then return to the pan.
- Mixing Pasta with Sausage and Cheese Combine the sausage mixture with the pasta. Add half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir well until the cheese is melted and incorporated.
- Assembling the Bake Transfer half of the pasta and meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread evenly, then sprinkle some of the remaining cheese over this layer. Add the rest of the pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil.
- Baking Bake the dish in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and heated through. For a golden top, remove the foil in the last few minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes