Baked Penne with Italian Sausage & Mozzarella
This hearty baked penne is the ultimate family favorite—savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and layers of gooey mozzarella all come together in one cozy casserole. Perfect for gatherings or a satisfying weeknight dinner with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 50 min
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 lbs Italian sausage (casings removed if using links)
2 cups onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
8 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, divided
½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ cup fresh basil, chopped
2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
6 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook penne in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Cook sausage until browned and crumbled.
Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent.
Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sauce, parsley, basil, and 1 cup Parmesan. Toss to coat evenly.
In a greased 9×13″ baking dish (or two smaller dishes), layer half the pasta, then half the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining pasta and mozzarella.
Top with remaining 1 cup Parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Dietary Info: Contains dairy, gluten, and pork (or use chicken sausage)
Nutrition
- Calories: 580 per serving
- Protein: 32g