Jolean's Italian Sausage Casserole

Dive into the comforting flavors of **Jolean's Italian Sausage Casserole**, a hearty crowd-pleaser that's perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. This dish layers tender penne pasta with a robust homemade tomato sauce infused with the savory goodness of Italian sausage, garlic, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano. It's topped with a generous blanket of melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, creating a golden, bubbly crust that's impossible to resist. Ready in just under an hour, this easy casserole combines the warmth of classic Italian flavors with the convenience of one-dish cooking. Serve it fresh out of the oven, and don't forget a side of garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a truly satisfying meal. Keywords: Italian sausage casserole, baked pasta dish, cheesy casserole recipe, easy weeknight dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 large Onion
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 12 ounces Penne pasta
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions (about 10 minutes), then drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage to a plate and set aside.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 6

Stir the cooked sausage back into the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat.

Step 7

In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta and the sausage-tomato sauce mixture, tossing to coat evenly.

Step 8

Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly on top.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2112.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3600.3

Total Fat 178.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 482.8mg	0%
Sodium 6457.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 329.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.2g	0%
Total Sugars 40.6g
Protein 182.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2371.8mg	0%
Iron 26.4mg	0%
Potassium 4284.2mg	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: 44.0%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 36.1%