Baked Penne Pasta Recipe
with Italian sausage, house marinara, and melted mozzarella cheese
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sausage
Marinara Sauce
Cheese
Method
Pasta Preparation
- 1
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sausage and Marinara Sauce
- 2
Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Prepare the Marinara Sauce
To the skillet with the cooked sausage, add the olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped fresh basil at the end.
Combine and Bake
- 4
Mix the Pasta and Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the sausage and marinara sauce. Mix well until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
- 5
Assemble the Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese on top. Add the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- 6
Bake
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.