Quick Easy Zesty Italian Penne Pasta Bake

Get ready to savor the ultimate comfort food with this Quick Easy Zesty Italian Penne Pasta Bake! Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, this irresistibly cheesy dish combines tender penne pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, and a bold marinara sauce spiced with Italian seasoning and a kick of red pepper flakes. Creamy ricotta adds a luscious texture, while a golden, bubbly topping of mozzarella and Parmesan takes this baked pasta masterpiece to the next level. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-pan wonder is not only fast and simple but also loaded with vibrant Italian flavors. Garnish with fresh basil for a fragrant, herbaceous finish, and delight your loved ones with this hearty, crowd-pleasing recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 24 oz jarred marinara sauce
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage marinara mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix until evenly coated.

Step 7

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the dish.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the first layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top.

Step 9

Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove from oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1672.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3202.4

Total Fat 232.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 99.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.8g
Cholesterol 714.3mg	0%
Sodium 8550.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 90.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.9g	0%
Total Sugars 39.9g
Protein 194.4g	0%

Vitamin D 181.4IU	0%
Calcium 3273.5mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 3321.2mg	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: 64.8%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 11.1%