Baked Penne Pasta with Sausage

This cheesy baked penne pasta with Italian sausage is pure comfort food! The pasta is tossed with sausage and marinara sauce, topped with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed if needed)
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• Olive oil for pan
• 2 24- oz jars marinara sauce - your favorite brand
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (preferably whole milk (not part-skim))
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. 2In a large pot with generously salted water, cook pasta according to instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer back into the pot. Tip: Slightly undercook because it will continue cooking in the oven later.
3. 3In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up, until cooked through and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes
4. 4Stir in the marinara sauce and fresh basil, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release the brown bits. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the flavors are well combined.
5. 5Transfer about ¾ of the meat sauce into the pot with the cooked pasta (drained), and stir until the pasta is evenly coated. Transfer to a large 9x13 baking dish.
6. 6Evenly spoon over ricotta on top of the pasta, pushing some of it down. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
7. 7Top with the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Uncover and broil on high for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly golden brown and bubbly.
8. 8Let it cool for a few minutes and serve while still warm and extra cheesy! Enjoy!