Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Creamy Italian sausage pasta bake brings comfort and warmth to any dinner table, reimagineing simple ingredients into a decadent meal that feels like a culinary embrace.

Hearty and rich, this dish combines robust flavors that dance across your palate with unexpected complexity.

Savory sausage melds seamlessly with velvety sauce, creating a symphony of textures that promises pure satisfaction.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings elevate this classic comfort food beyond ordinary expectations, infusing each bite with authentic regional character.

Cheese melts into golden, bubbling perfection, forming a crisp exterior that gives way to a luscious interior.

Home cooks adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together, requiring minimal preparation for maximum impact.

Complex yet approachable, this pasta bake represents the beautiful intersection of simplicity and gourmet indulgence.

What You’ll Love About Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

• Savor Rich, Comforting Flavors: This pasta bake delivers an explosion of hearty Italian sausage combined with creamy, tangy sauce that hugs every pasta noodle with incredible depth and warmth.
• Master a Simple One-Pot Wonder: Designed for home cooks of all levels, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen skills and straightforward cooking techniques.
• Enjoy Quick Weeknight Dinner Magic: From start to finish, this dish comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families craving a satisfying and delicious meal without complicated preparation steps.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: The combination of melted cheeses, herb-infused sauce, and perfectly cooked sausage makes this pasta bake an instant hit for family dinners, potlucks, and casual gatherings.

Ingredient Breakdown for Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

• Pasta: Classic base for the dish, choose short pasta like penne or rigatoni for best sauce coverage.

• Ground Italian Sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor and protein, choose fresh sausage with good spice blend.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds subtle flavor, use extra virgin for best taste.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic foundation for the sauce, select fresh and firm produce.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies tomato flavor and adds depth, look for concentrated paste.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base and enhances overall taste, low-sodium recommended.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and acidity to the sauce, choose high-quality canned tomatoes.
• Dried Herbs: Provides herbal complexity, Italian blend or individual herbs like oregano and basil work well.

• Half and Half, Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Creates creamy, rich texture and adds luxurious flavor, select good quality cheeses for best results.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall dish flavors, adjust to personal preference.

Simple Steps to Make Creamy Sausage Bake

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pasta

Heat oven to 375°F. Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Save pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Cook Italian Sausage

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add ground Italian sausage and break into small pieces while cooking until fully browned. Remove sausage with slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Tomato paste

Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Create Sauce Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Dried herbs

Simmer 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens.

Step 5: Finish Sauce and Combine Ingredients

• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Stir until cheeses melt completely.

Step 6: Bake Pasta Dish

Transfer pasta mixture to baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until top turns golden and bubbly.

Expert Tips for Sausage Pasta Baking Success

• Master Sausage Browning: Crumble the sausage into small, even pieces while cooking to ensure consistent flavor and texture throughout the dish.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Use reserved pasta water strategically to thin or thicken the sauce, creating a perfectly creamy and clingy texture.
• Layer Cheese Carefully: Distribute Parmesan and mozzarella evenly to guarantee every bite is packed with melty, cheesy goodness.
• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook pasta just until al dente, as it will continue to absorb sauce and soften during baking.
• Maximize Flavor Development: Allow sauce to simmer and reduce, helping herbs and ingredients meld together for a rich, deep taste profile.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Sausage Bake

• Storing Leftovers: Transfer the pasta bake to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Properly stored, this delicious dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap the container tightly with plastic wrap or use a sealed lid to prevent moisture loss and avoid absorbing other food odors.
• Reheating Options: Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the pasta bake in an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out, then warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, use the microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even heating. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture if the pasta seems dry.

Pairings That Work with Sausage Pasta Bake

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which complements the rich, savory sausage and cuts through the creamy sauce with its bright acidity.
• Crisp Side Salad Balance: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the pasta's richness, adding a fresh, peppery note that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Garlic Bread Companion: Serve crusty, herb-infused garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a crunchy texture that perfectly matches the creamy pasta's smoothness.
• Refreshing Beverage Pairing: Select a cold, crisp Italian pilsner or sparkling water with lemon to help cut through the dish's richness and refresh your taste buds during the meal.

Fresh Twists for Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

• Spicy Chorizo Fusion: Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo, adding jalapeños and pepper jack cheese for a fiery Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Lamb Remix: Swap sausage for ground lamb, incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh oregano to create a Greek-style pasta bake.
• Vegetarian Green Goddess: Substitute sausage with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and spinach, using ricotta cheese and adding nutritional yeast for depth of flavor.
• Seafood Coastal Blend: Transform the dish by using shredded crab or chopped shrimp instead of sausage, mixing in fresh dill and replacing half and half with light cream for a seafood-inspired pasta bake.

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake delivers comfort and classic Italian flavors in one hearty dish. Melted cheese, spicy sausage, and rich marinara sauce blend perfectly to create a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage

Main Carbohydrates:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) penne or fusilli pasta

Seasonings and Dairy:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¾ teaspoon dried basil
• ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) half and half or heavy cream
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup (37 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) while preparing a large pot of salted water for pasta cooking.
2. Cook pasta in boiling water until perfectly tender, following package instructions. Carefully extract and reserve of pasta water before draining.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, then crumble Italian sausage into the pan, cooking until meat loses its pink coloration and develops a rich, golden exterior.
4. Transfer sausage to a separate plate using a slotted spoon, leaving behind flavorful rendered fat in the skillet.
5. Sauté diced onions in the same skillet until they become translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
6. Add minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
7. Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, scraping up caramelized bits from the pan’s bottom to incorporate deep, complex flavors.
8. Introduce diced tomatoes with their natural juices and dried herbs, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, thickening for 5-7 minutes.
9. Gently pour half and half into the sauce, stirring consistently and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
10. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed, creating perfect texture and coverage.
11. Reintroduce cooked sausage to the skillet, then fold in cooked pasta, ensuring complete sauce coating.
12. Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses into the mixture, stirring until cheeses melt completely and distribute evenly.
13. Transfer the entire pasta blend into a baking dish, spreading it uniformly.
14. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, watching for a bubbling, golden-brown surface indicating perfect doneness.

Notes

• Quick-cooking tip: Reserve pasta water before draining to help adjust sauce consistency and create silky texture.
• Sausage selection matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for richer, more authentic flavor profile.
• Skillet technique saves time: Use the same pan to build layers of flavor, from sausage to sauce, minimizing cleanup.
• Cheese melting secret: Mix Parmesan and mozzarella directly into sauce for smooth, even distribution and enhanced creaminess.
• Baking magic transforms dish: Oven time allows ingredients to meld together, creating a golden, crispy top and bubbling sauce.
• Versatile meal prep: Easily make ahead and refrigerate before baking, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 465 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 730 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg