Description
This Easy Baked Penne with Sausage is a comforting Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender penne pasta combined with savory browned Italian sausage, aromatic onion and garlic, all simmered in a rich marinara sauce. Topped with a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, it’s baked until bubbly and golden, making it a perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner or cozy meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
Sausage Mixture
- 16 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed or bulk sausage)
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Topping
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third of the oven, preparing it for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook it for 2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend to ensure it retains some firmness. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown Sausage and Onion: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the Italian sausage and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. If there is excess fat rendered, carefully spoon most of it out.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, to enhance the flavor.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and add crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook the mixture for a couple more minutes until the sauce is warmed through.
- Combine Mixture with Pasta: Pour the sausage and sauce mixture over the cooked pasta in the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss gently until all pasta is evenly coated. Spread the mixture out into an even layer in the dish.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil to Brown: Switch the oven to broil and cook for a few minutes to brown and slightly crisp the cheese topping. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot and delicious.
Notes
- You can choose mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a richer sauce, consider using homemade marinara or add a splash of red wine to the sauce during cooking.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your desired level of spiciness or omit completely for a milder dish.
- To make ahead, assemble the dish up to step 7, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to eat, adding a few extra minutes to cook through if cold.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
