Italian Sausage and Pasta Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Italian Sausage and Pasta Casserole—a crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender penne pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich, aromatic marinara sauce. Layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheese, this baked pasta casserole is a cheese lover's dream. Infused with classic Italian seasonings and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, it’s a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Ready in just an hour, this easy-to-make recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, cozy gatherings, or meal prepping. Serve straight from the oven garnished with fresh parsley for a deliciously rustic presentation that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Perfect keywords include "Italian sausage casserole," "baked pasta recipe," and "easy comfort food."

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage sauce. Stir until well coated.

Step 7

Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the pasta and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 8

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 10

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2158.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3994.1

Total Fat 214.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 88.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 618.2mg	0%
Sodium 8816.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 314.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.8g	0%
Total Sugars 19.3g
Protein 214.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3281.7mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 2206.8mg	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: 47.7%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 31.1%