Description
Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, blending savory Italian sausage, gooey mozzarella cheese, and perfectly cooked penne pasta into a hearty dish that delights every palate. This easy recipe is a fantastic choice for family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering where delicious food is a must. With minimal preparation time and simple steps, you’ll have a satisfying meal ready in no time. Plus, it’s versatile enough to allow for ingredient swaps or additions, making it ideal for those who love to customize their cooking. This casserole also makes excellent leftovers, with flavors deepening overnight for an even more delightful experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 2 lb hot Italian sausage
- 24 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 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
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 3-quart casserole dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and brown the sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess grease while reserving about 2 tablespoons.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the reserved grease until translucent.
- Add diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Return the sausage to the skillet and simmer on low for another 20-30 minutes.
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and return to pot.
- Mix half of the mozzarella cheese with the sausage mixture into the pasta until melted.
- Layer half of the meat-pasta mixture in the casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese, add remaining mixture, then top with remaining mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes; remove foil during the last few minutes for browning.
- Let rest before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg