Hearty Italian Sausage Penne Bake Recipe: Homestyle Comfort

Bubbling with rich flavors and hearty comfort, this Italian sausage penne bake delivers a mouthwatering meal that satisfies every craving.

Savory sausage merges perfectly with tender pasta in a sauce that sings with Mediterranean warmth.

Melted cheese blankets each bite, creating a golden, crispy top that promises pure deliciousness.

The blend of herbs and spices infuses every forkful with robust, rustic charm.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

Straight from the oven to your plate, this penne bake will have everyone asking for seconds – so grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

Calories: 468 kcal

Servings: 9

Start With These for Italian Sausage Penne Bake

• Italian Sausage: Robust flavor base that adds depth and richness to the dish, choose fresh sausage with a good fat content for maximum taste.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy melting cheese that creates a luscious, stretchy texture and provides a smooth, mild backdrop to the spicy sausage.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that build a flavor-packed foundation, select firm onions and fresh garlic for the most vibrant taste profile.
• Basil, Oregano: Classic Italian herbs that infuse the dish with authentic Mediterranean warmth and complexity, use dried herbs for consistent flavor distribution.

• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy base that adds moisture and tangy brightness, opt for high-quality canned tomatoes with minimal additives.
• Penne Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that captures sauce perfectly, choose bronze-cut pasta for superior sauce clinging ability.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that balance and elevate the overall flavor profile, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Prep Tool Needed for Italian Sausage Penne Bake

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking sausage, sautéing onions, and creating the tomato sauce.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and breaking up sausage while cooking.
• 3-Quart Casserole Dish: Necessary for baking the pasta and creating a delicious layered meal.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta and remove excess grease from sausage.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for perfect flavor.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding fresh mozzarella cheese.
• Aluminum Foil: Covers the dish during baking to prevent excessive browning.
• Chef's Knife: Needed for chopping onions and mincing garlic.

How You’ll Cook Italian Sausage Penne Bake

• Spicy Sausage Foundation

Brown italian sausage in a large pan, breaking into small crumbles. Remove excess fat while keeping pan slightly greased.

• Flavor Builders

Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in remaining pan drippings until soft and fragrant.

• Tomato Symphony

Add diced tomatoes and classic italian herbs, letting the mixture simmer and develop rich flavors for several minutes.

• Pasta Canvas

Cook penne pasta until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside. The pasta should have a slight bite and not feel mushy.

• Creamy Cheese Layer

Mix sausage sauce with cooked pasta, folding in shredded mozzarella until everything is evenly coated and slightly melted.

• Baking Magic

Transfer mixture into a greased baking dish, top generously with additional cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbling and golden.

• Finishing Touch

Let the dish rest for five minutes after removing from oven. This allows flavors to settle and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Make It Better: Italian Sausage Penne Bake Tweaks & Ideas

• Toss in roasted bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to add extra nutrition and color to the bake.
• Mix in different cheeses like provolone, parmesan, or ricotta for a more complex and creamy texture.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes, add a dash of cayenne, or include fresh chili peppers to create a fiery version of the classic recipe.

Best Ways to Plate Italian Sausage Penne Bake

• Savor Italian Comfort: Pair this hearty penne bake with fresh, crisp accompaniments that complement its rich flavors.
• Create Vibrant Salad Sidekick: Toss a light mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a tangy Italian vinaigrette to balance the dish's warmth and heaviness.
• Bread Basket Boost: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread on the side, perfect for soaking up the delicious sausage and tomato sauce.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Enhance the meal with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which beautifully matches the sausage's robust flavor and cuts through the cheese's richness.

Keep It Fresh: Italian Sausage Penne Bake Storage Tips

• Smart Portioning: Divide the Italian Sausage Penne Bake into individual servings before refrigerating, making weekday lunches and quick dinners a breeze.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the dish fresh and delicious for multiple meals.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Pack the baked casserole in freezer-safe containers, where it can stay good for 2-3 months, offering a convenient make-ahead meal option.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or restore the entire dish's crispy top by reheating in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful.

Rustic Italian Sausage Penne Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty dinners welcome this Italian sausage penne bake with robust flavors and comforting textures. Savory sausage, melted cheese, and herb-infused pasta promise a satisfying meal you can easily prepare and enjoy with family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) hot Italian sausage
• 16 oz (454 g) penne pasta
• 24 oz (680 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 28 fl oz (794 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1.5 tsps basil
• 1.5 tsps oregano
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick spray.
2. Sausage Sauté: Liberate the Italian sausage from its casing, crumble, and cook thoroughly in a large skillet over medium heat, draining excess fat while preserving a hint of grease.
3. Aromatic Base: Sizzle onions and garlic in the reserved sausage drippings until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
4. Flavor Development: Introduce diced tomatoes, herbs, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Merge the sausage back into the vibrant sauce, allowing it to simmer and intensify for 20-30 minutes.
5. Pasta Preparation: Cook penne in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain and return to the pot.
6. Combining Elements: Fold the robust sauce into the pasta, incorporating half the mozzarella until smoothly melted and evenly distributed.
7. Layering: Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared dish, strategically sprinkling cheese between layers and across the top.
8. Baking: Encase with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, unveiling the final 5-7 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy cheese topping.
9. Resting: Allow the dish to settle for 5-10 minutes, enabling easier serving and helping the flavors meld together harmoniously.

Notes

• Optimize Sausage Browning: Break meat into tiny crumbles for even cooking and maximum flavor development.
• Manage Grease Wisely: Reserve a small amount of sausage fat to enhance sauce depth without making the dish overly greasy.
• Master Pasta Texture: Cook penne precisely to al dente stage to prevent mushiness and maintain ideal pasta bite.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Layer cheese gradually and uncover foil near end of baking for perfect golden, crispy cheese topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 468
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg