Cheesy Sausage Penne Bake
A hearty pasta casserole made with penne, Italian sausage, marinara, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. The pasta and sausage sauce come together quickly before finishing in the oven for an easy, filling dinner.
Print Pin Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and position an oven rack in the upper third.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook it for 2 minutes less than the time directed on the package. Drain the pasta, then transfer it to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- While the pasta cooks, place the Italian sausage and chopped onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned. If a significant amount of fat collects in the pan, spoon out most of it.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and crushed red pepper flakes. Continue cooking for another couple of minutes, just until the sauce is heated through.
- Pour the sausage and sauce mixture over the penne in the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated, then spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella or cheddar and Parmesan evenly over the pasta. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese, watching closely so it does not burn. Serve immediately.
