Flori's Hot Tub Heaven

Dive into comfort food bliss with *Flori’s Hot Tub Heaven*, a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish that perfectly balances hearty Italian flavors and effortless indulgence. This irresistible recipe layers tender penne pasta with savory Italian sausage, a rich tomato cream sauce, and an ooey-gooey blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. With hints of garlic, oregano, and a subtle kick of red pepper flakes, each bite is packed with satisfying flavor. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for cozy family dinners or an easy make-ahead meal for entertaining. Top it off with fresh basil for a final touch of freshness, and let this hearty casserole become your go-to choice for ultimate comfort food. Keywords: creamy baked pasta, Italian sausage casserole, cheesy penne bake, easy comfort food recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz penne pasta
• 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 6 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes).

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 2 cups of Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage sauce, ensuring the pasta is well-coated.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown on top.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2342.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5546.7

Total Fat 318.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 156.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 880.8mg	0%
Sodium 10923.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 385.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.6g	0%
Total Sugars 23.3g
Protein 273.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 4503.2mg	0%
Iron 26.4mg	0%
Potassium 3451.9mg	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: 52.1%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 28.0%