Rachael's Chicken Sausage Pepper and Onion Pasta Fake Bake

Transform your weeknight dinners with Rachael's Chicken Sausage Pepper and Onion Pasta Fake Bake—a quick, hearty, and flavor-packed dish that delivers all the comfort of baked pasta without the lengthy oven time! This recipe features zesty Italian-style chicken sausage, a vibrant trio of bell peppers, caramelized onions, and a fragrant garlic and oregano seasoning, all tossed with marinara-coated penne and topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Instead of traditional baking, this dish is finished under the broiler, achieving a golden, bubbly crust in minutes. Perfect for busy nights, this 40-minute meal serves up classic Italian-inspired flavors with a fresh twist. Garnish with parsley for a pop of color and enjoy the perfect balance of savory satisfaction and effortless preparation. Keywords: chicken sausage pasta, quick fake bake, Italian-inspired recipe, easy weeknight dinner, bell peppers and onions pasta.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken sausage (preferably Italian-style)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 ounces dry penne pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant.

Step 5

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6

Preheat your oven’s broiler to high.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, sausage and vegetable mixture, marinara sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Step 9

Place the baking dish under the broiler for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1301.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2852.1

Total Fat 112.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 440.5mg	0%
Sodium 6512.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 289.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g	0%
Total Sugars 20.2g
Protein 171.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1525.1mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 2521.4mg	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: 35.5%

Protein: 23.9%

Carbs: 40.5%