Italian Sausage Penne Casserole

Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is your new weeknight superhero, offering a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired meal that’s incredibly simple to prepare. This comforting dish is perfect for busy families and anyone craving a delicious, satisfying dinner without the fuss.

Key Ingredients for Italian Sausage Penne Casserole

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, your preference)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 11.5 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• (Optional) Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

How to Make Italian Sausage Penne Casserole

This Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is a culinary dream come true for those seeking ease and incredible flavor. Imagine a dish that comes together with minimal effort, resulting in a creamy, rich texture that’s both comforting and deeply satisfying. With a preparation time of approximately 50 minutes, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste without the restaurant-level expense or effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Incorporate Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta directly to the simmering sauce. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is submerged in the sauce.
6. Add Cheeses: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese until mostly combined.
7. Assemble the Casserole: Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
8. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
9. Bake: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Brown the Top: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
11. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Sausage Penne Casserole

This Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights, packed with savory Italian sausage and tender penne pasta enveloped in a rich, tomatoey sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food that feels both indulgent and incredibly affordable compared to ordering Italian takeout, bringing the cozy pizzeria experience right into your home kitchen. The generous topping of melted mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese creates a delightful cheesy crust that will have everyone reaching for seconds, making it a standout dish that’s far more satisfying than a simple pasta with marinara.

Forget the stress of intricate meal planning; this casserole is designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss, offering a delicious and heartwarming way to feed your family or impress guests with minimal effort. It’s proof that incredibly tasty meals don’t have to be complicated or expensive, and the aroma alone will have everyone gathering around the table before it’s even served. So, why not bypass the takeout menu and treat yourself to this delightful Italian Sausage Penne Casserole tonight? You won’t regret it!

Storing and Reheating Tips

Your delicious Italian Sausage Penne Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To store, allow the casserole to cool completely before covering it tightly with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container.

To reheat, the best method is to bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, covered, in 1-2 minute intervals. For convenient future meals, you can freeze the cooled casserole. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. Frozen casserole will last for 2-3 months and can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Final Thoughts

This Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is a true testament to hearty, home-cooked comfort food, delivering incredible flavor with remarkable ease. Give it a try when you need a simple yet satisfying meal that the whole family will adore. You’ll be so glad you did!

Italian Sausage Penne Casserole

Italian Sausage Penne Casserole is your new weeknight superhero, offering a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired meal that’s incredibly simple to prepare. This comforting dish is perfect for busy families and anyone craving a delicious, satisfying dinner without the fuss.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 0 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course: Casserole

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Italian sausage mild or hot, your preference
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• 11.5 ounces penne pasta uncooked
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (Optional)

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Aluminum foil

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
   Italian sausage
3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
   Italian sausage, 1 large onion, 3 cloves garlic
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
   1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
5. Add the uncooked penne pasta directly to the simmering sauce. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is submerged in the sauce.
   11.5 ounces penne pasta
6. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese until mostly combined.
   2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
7. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
   2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
9. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
11. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
    Fresh parsley

Notes

Italian Sausage Penne Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Can also be reheated in the microwave.