Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage

Teresa Ambra

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage is nothing short of awesome! Penne pasta is baked up in a delicious spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and then topped with a sprinkling of Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. This fabulous recipe is also fairly quick and easy to make up, too. Then just pop it in the oven and let it bake.

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When we had company over for lunch a couple of weeks ago, I made two pasta main dishes. One was the Baked Penne with Italian-Style Meatballs. That delicious recipe had meatballs with toasted pine nuts. I also made this pasta dish. The same basic recipe, but using Italian sausage and a spaghetti sauce that included Italian sausage for a double whammy! I used a mild and sweet Italian sausages from Johnsonville that were amazing. I have to admit, I loved this recipe. And everyone else did, too.

This casserole is great for company because  you can get about 10-12 large servings out of this dish. On the other hand, if you don’t mind eating leftovers, this dish reheats really well either in the oven or the microwave.

If you’re looking for a tasty and delicious pasta recipe with or without Italian sausage, this is it! You will savor each mouthful.

When I initially made this recipe in March 2014 I was really disappointed with how my pictures turned out. I’ve been going back through and remaking old recipes where the pictures were less than satisfying. I recently remade this recipe (January 2018) for our Friday night care group. Wow! Everyone loved this recipe–even the kids! There seemed to be a line forming to get second and third helpings!

It really is a terrific and fairly easy recipe to make. If you’re short on time you can prepare the recipe a night in advance and then cook it up the next day for dinner. It will take longer to cook through if the ingredients are cold rather than at room temperature. Even still, you’ll have a delicious dinner that everyone will enjoy. And, if you’re not careful, you’ll discover there are very little leftovers for lunches. Oh, no!!!! 🙁  Yes, Baked Penne with Italian Sausage is that good. 🙂

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage is one of the best pasta dishes we have ever eaten!

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

I served this pasta dish with Apple Pie Bread the first time I made it.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Each mouthful of this spectacular casserole is succulent and mouthwatering.

Here’s what I did.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

I used these ingredients. I used two kinds of Italian sausage: mild and sweet, to provide optimum flavor.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Brown Italian sausage and drain.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Meanwhile, cook penne pasta according to package directions, except al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Mix cooked Italian sausage, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, an egg, and cooked penne pasta. 

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Stir well to combine. Add spaghetti sauce.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Add Italian seasoning. (I had to transfer everything to a larger bowl because the other bowl was too small!)

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Add pasta mixture.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Spread remaining sauce over top of pasta. 

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Now sprinkle with parmesan cheese. This cheese actually came from a bag and was very finely grated. 

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

The addition of extra sauce, the Italian seasoning, and the Italian sausage make this savory casserole very sumptuous.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

This cheesy dish is so big on taste!

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Every bite is succulent and amazing.

Here’s the recipe.

BAKED PENNE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

(My own concoction)

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage

Teresa Ambra
Baked Penne with Italian Sausage is so mouthwatering. This amazing pasta main dish recipe includes penne pasta, spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. The recipe is fairly quick and easy to make up and has fantastic flavor. It's perfect for weeknight dinners or company.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Pasta Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 15
Calories 534 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large stock pot
  • 1 colander
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 hamburger chopper to chop down meat into small pieces while frying
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz. penne pasta cooked al dente
  • 24 oz. carton ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 48 oz. jar spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage or your favorite prepared spaghetti sauce
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 16 oz. bag mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 2 lbs. Italian sausage cooked and drained (I used one 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, and 1 lb. mild Italian sausage)

Instructions
 

  • Cook sausage until brown; drain.
  • While cooking, chop the sausage into very small pieces with a hamburger masher.
  • Set aside.
  • Cook pasta about 9-10 minutes—only until al dente.
  • Drain pasta in colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
  • In a large bowl mix penne pasta, ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella cheese, cooked Italian sausage, Italian seasoning and 1 ½ cups spaghetti sauce.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Spray a 9x13” baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread penne mixture over bottom of prepared pan.
  • Spread remaining sauce over top.
  • Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top.
  • Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Notes

NOTE: I was unable to locate any brand of spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage so I used two pounds of Italian sausage instead of a lower amount.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 27gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 1165mgPotassium: 584mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 863IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 324mgIron: 3mg
Keyword casserole, cheese, Italian sausage, main dish, noodles, pasta, sausage
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Baked Penne with Italian Sausage[/b]
Recipe Type: Pasta Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Teresa Ambra 
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
Amazing pasta main dish recipe with penne, spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This recipe is fairly quick and easy to make up and has amazing taste.
Ingredients
  • 16-oz. penne pasta cooked al dente
  • 24-oz. ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 48-oz. Prego spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 16-oz. mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 19-oz. [url href=”http://www.johnsonville.com/home.html” target=”_blank” title=”johnsonville sausage”]Johnsonville[/url] mild Italian sausage, cooked and drained
Instructions
  1. Cook sausage until brown; drain. Set aside.
  2. Cook pasta about 9-10 minutes—only until al dente.
  3. Drain and rinse.
  4. In a large bowl mix penne, ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella cheese, cooked Italian sausage, and 1 ½ cups spaghetti sauce.
  5. Stir to combine.
  6. Spray a 9×13” baking dish with cooking spray.
  7. Spread penne mixture over bottom of prepared pan.
  8. Spread remaining sauce over top.
  9. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over top of sauce.
  10. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top.
  11. Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until bubbly.
Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Doesn’t Baked Penne with Italian Sausage look terrific?

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

We loved Baked Penne with Italian Sausage and believe you will too.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Our company raved over this entree. In fact, everyone when back for second and third helpings!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Baked Penne with Italian-Style Meatballs

Baked Penne with Italian-Style Meatballs | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this sensational #pasta #recipe is layered like a #lasagna. The bottom layer has #penne mixed with 3 #cheeses including #ricotta. It's topped with #meatballs, #spaghettisauce & both #parmesan & #mozzarella cheeses. Perfect company entree. #pinenuts #groundbeef

Gluten Free Baked Penne

Gluten Free Baked Penne | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | You'll never believe you're eating #GlutenFree with this amazing #pasta entree. It's filled with 3 cheeses so it's hearty, filling & very satisfying comfort food. Our company raved over it. #RicottaCheese #MozzarellaCheese #ParmesanCheese #RonzoniGlutenFreePasta #GlutenFreePasta #MeatlessMondays #Italian

Baked Manicotti

Baked Manicotti | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | BEST #manicotti recipe ever! This one uses #mozzarella #cheese instead of ricotta. It makes a terrific #holiday or company #pasta entree. #beef
Baked Penne with Italian Sausage | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Everyone raves over this fantastic #pasta recipe with #ItalianSausage & several kinds of #cheese! Easy weeknight dinner.

Baked Penne with Italian Sausage

Teresa Ambra
Baked Penne with Italian Sausage is so mouthwatering. This amazing pasta main dish recipe includes penne pasta, spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. The recipe is fairly quick and easy to make up and has fantastic flavor. It's perfect for weeknight dinners or company.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Pasta Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 15
Calories 534 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large stock pot
  • 1 colander
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 hamburger chopper to chop down meat into small pieces while frying
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz. penne pasta cooked al dente
  • 24 oz. carton ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 48 oz. jar spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage or your favorite prepared spaghetti sauce
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 16 oz. bag mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 2 lbs. Italian sausage cooked and drained (I used one 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, and 1 lb. mild Italian sausage)

Instructions
 

  • Cook sausage until brown; drain.
  • While cooking, chop the sausage into very small pieces with a hamburger masher.
  • Set aside.
  • Cook pasta about 9-10 minutes—only until al dente.
  • Drain pasta in colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
  • In a large bowl mix penne pasta, ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella cheese, cooked Italian sausage, Italian seasoning and 1 ½ cups spaghetti sauce.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Spray a 9×13” baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread penne mixture over bottom of prepared pan.
  • Spread remaining sauce over top.
  • Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top.
  • Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Notes

NOTE: I was unable to locate any brand of spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage so I used two pounds of Italian sausage instead of a lower amount.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 27gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 1165mgPotassium: 584mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 863IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 324mgIron: 3mg
Keyword casserole, cheese, Italian sausage, main dish, noodles, pasta, sausage
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

2 Comments

  • Gluten Free Baked Penne – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    February 4, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    […] I’ve made this recipe before using regular pasta with meatballs and regular pasta with Italian sausage. All three are excellent in taste. But if you prefer a meatless version then this is it. If […]

  • Cottage Cheese Dill Bread – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    January 26, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    […] This is another breadmaker recipe that came with my  Black and Decker breadmaker when we bought it a few decades ago. It’s got great flavor and it’s a wonderful dinner bread filled with cottage cheese, dill weed, and onions. While this dinner bread is great to serve with butter, it’s also a nice bread to serve with dipping oil as you enjoy your favorite pasta. […]

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