Baked Skillet Penne

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Skillet Penne, a hearty one-pan dish that's as easy to make as it is satisfying. Tender penne pasta is coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with the bold flavors of Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano. Topped with a luscious layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this meal bakes to bubbly, golden perfection in the oven. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, this quick-prep recipe highlights the convenience of a single skillet while delivering restaurant-quality flavor. Serve straight from the skillet, garnished with fresh basil, for a crowd-pleasing dinner that’s irresistibly cheesy, savory, and comforting.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then crumble the Italian sausage into the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the fat in the skillet.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix well. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.

Step 8

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1997.2 grams (1997.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3568

Total Fat 180.60g	232%
Saturated Fat 64.70g	324%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 427mg	142%
Sodium 7082mg	308%
Total Carbohydrate 319.30g	116%
Dietary Fiber 26.50g	95%
Total Sugars 31.40g
Protein 173.20g	346%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1932mg	149%
Iron 25mg	138%
Potassium 3960mg	84%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.2%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 35.5%