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Easy Cheesy Lazy Sunday Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage

Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake - featured image
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A quick and satisfying cheesy pasta bake featuring Italian sausage, perfect for a comforting meal without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild)
  • 2 cups (480ml) marinara sauce
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes less than package instructions (about 8-9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in the pan.
  4. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and dried Italian herbs, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Pour in 2 cups (480ml) marinara sauce and 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream. Stir well and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Return drained pasta and browned sausage to the skillet or transfer to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sauce to coat evenly.
  7. Fold in 1 1/2 cups (150g) shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan, reserving the rest for topping. Mix until combined.
  8. Transfer pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  10. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will cook further in the oven. Brown sausage well for flavor. Use a combo of mozzarella and Parmesan for best melt and taste. Let bake rest before serving. Optional: sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with olive oil on top for crunch. Add pasta cooking water if sauce is too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta bake, Italian sausage, cheesy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, casserole, mozzarella, Parmesan

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/easy-cheesy-lazy-sunday-pasta-bake-with-italian-sausage-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-meal/