Italian Baked Penne

Dive into comfort food heaven with this **Italian Baked Penne**, a hearty and flavor-packed pasta casserole that’s perfect for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests. Featuring tender penne pasta baked to perfection with savory Italian sausage, a robust marinara sauce, and a trio of cheeses—ricotta, parmesan, and gooey melted mozzarella—this dish delivers layers of bold Italian flavors in every bite. Aromatic garlic, diced onions, and a medley of dried herbs like basil and oregano elevate the sauce, while a touch of red pepper flakes adds just a hint of spice. Topped with golden, bubbling cheese and fresh parsley, this baked pasta masterpiece is as satisfying as it is beautiful. Ready in just an hour and serving six, it’s guaranteed to become a favorite on your dinner table. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for soul-warming Italian comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 14 oz diced tomatoes (canned, drained)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, cooked sausage, and half of the marinara sauce mixture. Stir to evenly coat the pasta.

Step 7

Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese on top, then sprinkle with half of the parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella, and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley.

Step 8

Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top and pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over it. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top in an even layer.

Step 9

Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and slightly golden on top.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with the remaining chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2648 grams (2648.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4767

Total Fat 240.60g	308%
Saturated Fat 95.60g	478%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 687mg	229%
Sodium 10008mg	435%
Total Carbohydrate 415.40g	151%
Dietary Fiber 29.50g	105%
Total Sugars 35.40g
Protein 234.90g	470%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3345mg	257%
Iron 28mg	157%
Potassium 3428mg	73%

*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: 45.4%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 34.9%