Go Back
Penne Pasta Bake

Cheesy Baked Penne with Sausage Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 624
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb penne
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 15 oz whole milk ricotta
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 cups shredded low moisture mozzarella
  • Fresh basil leaves, for serving

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown the sausage in olive oil over medium high heat for about 6 minutes, breaking it up, until no longer pink.
  2. Add onion and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and oregano, cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Cook penne 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain, toss with the sauce, then layer half the pasta, all the ricotta mixture, and the remaining pasta in a 9x13 inch dish. Top with mozzarella.
  5. Bake uncovered 20 minutes, then broil 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is golden and blistered. Let rest 5 minutes, scatter basil on top, and serve.

Notes

Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking makes it easier to serve clean squares. If your mozzarella is browning too fast under the broiler, move the dish to a lower rack. The pasta will continue to soak up sauce as it sits, so leftovers may thicken overnight.