Classic Baked Pasta

Dive into comfort food bliss with this Classic Baked Pasta recipe, a crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender penne or rigatoni, a rich and hearty Italian sausage tomato sauce, and a gooey, golden layer of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Perfectly seasoned with dried basil and oregano, and balanced with a touch of sugar, this baked pasta is baked to bubbly perfection in just under an hour. With its irresistible layers of flavors and textures, this family-friendly dinner is as easy to make as it is delicious. Garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and a burst of freshness, and serve it alongside a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or feeding a hungry crowd, this Classic Baked Pasta will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 400 grams pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 grams Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 800 grams crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 250 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
• 10 grams fresh basil, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

Step 2

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Add oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Combine the cooked pasta and sauce in the pot, mixing well to ensure all pasta is coated with sauce.

Step 7

Transfer half of the pasta-sauce mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture and then top with the rest of the mozzarella and all of the parmesan cheese.

Step 8

Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2156.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3809.7

Total Fat 259.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 102.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 626.4mg	0%
Sodium 9089.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 195.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.0g	0%
Total Sugars 40.6g
Protein 173.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2619.6mg	0%
Iron 17.7mg	0%
Potassium 3258.9mg	0%

*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: 61.3%

Protein: 18.2%

Carbs: 20.5%