Baked Penne Pasta Recipe

baked penne pasta with marinara sauce and cheese.

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Baked penne pasta is a hearty, cheesy comfort food that's perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. With Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and lots of melty cheese, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked penne pasta

Servings: servings

Calories: 552kcal

Author: Kasey Schwartz

Equipment

Large pot
Large bowl
Casserole dish
Skillet
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups
measuring spoons

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked penne pasta
1 pound Italian sausages crumbled
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
4.5 cups marinara sauce
½ cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, marinara sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, sausage marinara sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Mix well to coat the pasta.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

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