Description
Creamy Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake delivers comfort in one hearty Mediterranean-inspired dish. Rich tomato sauce, spicy sausage, and melted cheese create a perfect weeknight dinner that satisfies deep hunger and warms souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) fresh Italian sausage (about 4 links), removed from casings
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 5 ounces (142 grams) baby spinach
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 24-ounce (680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup (225 grams) fresh ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons (20 grams) grated parmesan cheese, divided, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (3 grams) coarsely chopped basil, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Activate the oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the center for even heating.
- Retrieve a large skillet and heat over medium-high flame, then crumble Italian sausage into the pan, breaking it into small, uniform pieces.
- Cook the sausage thoroughly, stirring occasionally, until it transforms into a rich golden brown and releases its savory oils, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Mince fresh garlic cloves and introduce them to the sausage, sautéing for an additional 30-45 seconds until fragrant and translucent.
- Add fresh spinach leaves to the skillet, gently folding them into the sausage mixture until they wilt and integrate seamlessly, about 2 minutes.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients and create a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Simultaneously, cook pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water until it reaches al dente consistency, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and fold it directly into the sausage and marinara mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is well-coated.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a pinch of black pepper, blending until smooth.
- Transfer the pasta and sausage mixture to a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Dollop the ricotta mixture across the top of the pasta, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese to create a luxurious, melty surface.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese turns golden and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps the flavors meld and makes portioning easier.
Notes
- Swap spicy or mild Italian sausage based on your heat preference, creating a personalized flavor profile for this comforting dish.
- Remove sausage casings before cooking to ensure even browning and better texture throughout the pasta bake.
- Drain excess fat from sausage to prevent the dish from becoming greasy and maintain a balanced, rich taste.
- Fresh spinach wilts quickly, so add it last moment to preserve its vibrant color and nutritional value.
- Ricotta mixture can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated, making meal prep more convenient and streamlined.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and make serving easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 538 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg