Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake (Print View)
Savory pasta with Italian sausage, creamy cheese, and tomatoes for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 -
8 ounces penne pasta
→ Sausage and Vegetables
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
03 -
1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
04 -
1 small onion, diced
05 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
06 -
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 -
1 cup heavy cream
08 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
→ Cheese
09 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasoning and Garnish
11 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 -
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
# Directions:
01 -
Boil penne pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 -
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles with a spoon, until browned, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
03 -
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.
04 -
Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
05 -
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese, and half of the grated Parmesan. Mix until the cheese melts and ingredients are combined.
06 -
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
07 -
Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Notes:
01 -
For best texture, use freshly grated cheeses. The dish can be prepared ahead and gently reheated over low heat.