Description
Hearty one pot Italian sausage pasta bake delivers robust Mediterranean flavors with minimal cleanup. Savory sausage, melted cheese, and herb-infused sauce create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage
- 2 cups (340 g) shell pasta
- 1 (28 oz / 794 g) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 ½ cups (590 ml) chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tbsps (30 g) tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sear Sausage: Caramelize italian sausage and diced onions in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until meat achieves rich golden color and onions turn translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce finely minced garlic, sautéing briefly to unlock its robust flavor profile without scorching, roughly 60 seconds.
- Liquid Integration: Combine crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, shell pasta, tomato paste, and italian seasoning, thoroughly mixing to ensure even ingredient distribution and seamless incorporation.
- Controlled Cooking: Trigger a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to low-medium heat, allowing contents to simmer gently and develop complex flavors while pasta absorbs liquid and becomes tender.
- Cheese Fusion: Remove skillet from heat and fold in shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses until completely melted, creating a creamy, luxurious texture throughout the dish.
- Finishing Touch: Optional broiling with an additional mozzarella cheese layer creates an irresistible golden-brown crust, elevating the visual and textural appeal of the pasta bake.
Notes
- Meat Browning Tip: Ensure sausage develops a deep golden color for maximum flavor development and textural complexity.
- Garlic Timing Matters: Brief 60-second sauté prevents burning while releasing robust aromatic compounds that enhance overall dish taste.
- Liquid Ratio Control: Precise liquid measurement guarantees perfect pasta consistency, avoiding dry or overly soupy results.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow residual heat to gently melt cheese for smooth, creamy integration without potential scorching.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 565
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg