Baked Penne with Italian Sausage
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There’s nothing better than a warm, cheesy baked pasta dish when you’re craving comfort food. This baked penne pasta is crazy delicious & so easy to make. I used Jovial Foods penne pasta for this meal. One thing you’ll always find in my pantry is several Jovial pastas. The taste, texture is so good! They offer so many shapes. They also have other great pantry staples, like olive oil & crushed tomatoes!
This baked penne with Italian sausage is one of my go-to meals, especially when I want something easy but still packed with flavor. The combination of savory sausage, ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella is absolutely irresistible. I love using Jovial penne pasta for this recipe because the texture holds up perfectly, even when baked. Plus, their crushed tomatoes add a rich, tangy flavor that balances out the hearty sausage. It only takes about 15 minutes of prep and then you can let the oven do the rest. After a busy day, there’s nothing like pulling this bubbling dish out of the oven and knowing you’ve got a satisfying meal waiting.
Why You’ll Love Baked Penne with Italian Sausage
- Simple to Make: This recipe is super easy to throw together, even on busy nights when you want something hearty.
- Cheesy Goodness: With both mozzarella and ricotta, you get that perfect cheesy pull and creamy texture in every bite.
- Flavorful Sausage: The Italian sausage adds a nice savory kick that pairs perfectly with the tangy tomatoes and rich seasonings.
- Family Favorite: This is a dish that everyone in the family will love – it’s classic comfort food that never disappoints.
- Leftovers Reheat Well: It’s one of those meals that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients Needed To Make Baked Penne with Italian Sausage
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Jovial penne pasta
- Ground Italian sausage
- Onion, diced
- Jovial olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Jovial crushed tomatoes
- Shredded mozzarella
- Ricotta cheese
Oven Temperatures
Oven temperatures can vary significantly from one oven to another. To achieve consistent results, it’s crucial to know the exact temperature inside your oven. The safest and most accurate way to determine this is by using an oven thermometer. This simple tool can help you avoid underbaking or overbaking your treats.
How To Make Baked Penne with Italian Sausage
- Preheat your oven and spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the penne pasta in salted water, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage until partially done, then add diced onions and cook until soft.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and crushed tomatoes, cooking for about 10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sausage mixture and mix well.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish and add dollops of ricotta on top.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Let it cool for about 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, you can swap the penne for another short pasta like rigatoni or ziti. Just make sure to cook it al dente so it holds up when baking.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it for up to a day before baking. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and add a few extra minutes to the cook time if it’s cold.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days.
How should I reheat the baked penne?
To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but the oven helps keep the cheese nice and melty.
Can I substitute the Italian sausage with something else?
Yes! If you prefer a milder option, ground turkey or chicken works well. For a vegetarian version, you can use sautéed mushrooms or a meat alternative.
Can I freeze the baked penne?
Yes, this dish freezes well. After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge and bake until warmed through.
What’s the best type of cheese to use?
Mozzarella melts beautifully for that gooey topping, but you can also mix in parmesan or provolone for extra flavor.
How long should I let the baked penne cool before serving?
Let the dish cool for about 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the sauce settle and makes it easier to serve.
Baked Penne with Italian Sausage
Equipment
- Pot for cooking pasta
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring Spoons
- nonstick baking spray
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 12 oz Jovial Penne Pasta
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 onion diced
- 2 tsp Jovial olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp + 1 ½ tsp kosher salt divided
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 18.3 oz Jovial crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling water, add 1 tbsp kosher salt. Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sausage Mixture: In a large deep skillet, heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until partially cooked. Add the diced onions and continue cooking over medium-low heat until the onions are translucent.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and crushed tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the liquid to start evaporating.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the sausage mixture. Mix well to combine.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Dollop scoops of ricotta cheese evenly over the top. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire dish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This baked penne with Italian sausage is seriously one of my go-to comfort meals when I need something hearty and satisfying. It’s cheesy, flavorful, and comes together with ease—perfect for any night of the week. Trust me, everyone at the table will be asking for seconds!
