Italian Pasta Casserole

Indulge in the hearty comfort of this Italian Pasta Casserole, a crowd-pleasing dish that brings the flavors of Italy straight to your dining table! Featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a creamy ricotta and mozzarella mixture, layered with zesty Italian sausage and rich marinara sauce, and baked to golden, cheesy perfection, this casserole is a guaranteed hit for family dinners or gatherings. Elevated with aromatic garlic, onions, and a hint of Italian seasoning, and finished with fresh basil and Parmesan for a burst of flavor, each bite offers a perfect balance of savory and cheesy goodness. This easy-to-make, oven-baked casserole is ready in under an hour and serves six, making it the ideal option for a satisfying weeknight meal or a cozy weekend treat. Perfectly reheatable and utterly satisfying, this Italian Pasta Casserole is bound to become a go-to favorite in your recipe collection!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 5

Remove the casings (if any) from the Italian sausage, crumble it into the skillet, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 6

Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine with the cooked sausage mixture. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Stir well.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and toss to coat evenly.

Step 9

Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer. Top with half of the sausage-marinara sauce.

Step 10

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Repeat with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella cheese, layering them in the dish.

Step 11

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top, along with the chopped fresh basil.

Step 12

Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 13

Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 14

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil if desired and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2224 grams (2224.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4559

Total Fat 261.90g	336%
Saturated Fat 107.70g	539%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.10g
Cholesterol 770mg	257%
Sodium 9703mg	422%
Total Carbohydrate 322.00g	117%
Dietary Fiber 21.30g	76%
Total Sugars 31.20g
Protein 240.80g	482%

Vitamin D 181IU	907%
Calcium 3666mg	282%
Iron 23mg	126%
Potassium 2781mg	59%

*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: 51.1%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 27.9%