Pasta Bake with Sausage (Printable Version)
Hearty baked pasta with sausage in rich tomato sauce, layered with ricotta and mozzarella for warm, comforting flavor.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta and Cheese
01 -
340 g penne or rotini pasta
02 -
240 g ricotta cheese
03 -
200 g shredded mozzarella cheese
04 -
45 g grated Parmesan cheese
→ Meat and Vegetables
05 -
450 g Italian sausage, sweet or spicy
06 -
1 small onion, diced
07 -
2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Tomato Sauce and Seasoning
08 -
800 g canned crushed tomatoes
09 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 -
1 teaspoon salt
11 -
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Finishing Touch
12 -
Fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)
# Steps:
01 -
Set the oven to 190°C and allow it to preheat fully.
02 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 -
Remove sausage casings. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage and break it into small pieces until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
04 -
Add diced onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
05 -
Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
06 -
In a large mixing bowl, toss cooked pasta with ricotta cheese, half the sausage mixture, and half of the mozzarella. Mix thoroughly.
07 -
Spread half of the remaining sausage mixture in a baking dish. Layer the pasta mixture over it, then top with the remaining sausage mixture. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
08 -
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 -
Allow to cool for several minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Mixing some mozzarella into the pasta ensures creamy texture throughout the dish.