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There’s nothing better on a busy weeknight than hearty baked penne—especially when it’s baked penne pasta layered with savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and oodles of melty cheese. This cozy baked penne with sausage recipe is comfort food at its finest and friendly enough for both family dinners and casual gatherings.
Love a hearty baked pasta recipe? They’re my family’s favorite too! Try this Baked Ziti or Crock Pot Lasagna.
Why you’ll love this baked penne with sausage recipe!
When you make baked penne pasta with marinara, the tender penne soaks up the rich sauce, while the spicy Italian sausage adds just the right kick. And let’s not forget that golden, bubbly Parmesan topping that makes everyone in your family beg for seconds!
This recipe is simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight but fancy enough to serve when you’re having friends over for dinner. If you’re like me and love a hearty, no-fuss pasta bake, this one’s going straight to the top of your comfort food list!
- Super Flavorful: The flavor of baked penne pasta is unbeatable. Rich marinara sauce, savory Italian sausage, and melty Parmesan create a perfect combination of comfort with a little twist of indulgence.
- Insanely Easy to Make: This recipe is so super easy to make, with just a few simple steps to get dinner on the table with minimal effort.
- Incredibly Versatile: You can customize your penne pasta bake to fit your dietary needs by swapping in turkey sausage, using gluten-free pasta, or sneaking in extra veggies like spinach or zucchini for a healthier twist.
Table of Contents
Baked Penne Ingredients
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Penne pasta – You can swap the penne for any type of short noodle pasta. I have used rotini, farfalle, and even small shells, which hold the sauce and cheese really well.
- Italian sausage – Use spicy sausage, mild, or just regular. All work well!
- Marinara sauce – You can use homemade marinara or a jar of store-bought sauce.
- Heavy cream – To add some decadent creaminess to the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes – This is optional so feel free to omit if you want a less spicy pasta bake.
- Shredded mozzarella – For that epic cheese melt!
- Grated parmesan cheese – Make sure to use fresh parmesan and not the powdered cheese from the jar.
Variations
- Replace the Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken or some sauteed veggies for a vegetarian pasta bake.
- Use gluten-free penne to make the pasta bake gluten-free.
- Replace the marinara sauce with a jar of alfredo sauce for a super creamy, rich penne pasta bake.
- Add 1/2 cup of ricotta and 1/2 cup of shredded provolone to the pasta mixture before baking for an extra cheesy baked penne.
- Use hot Italian sausage and increase the red pepper flakes for more heat.
How to Make Baked Penne Pasta
- Make the Sauce: Cook the sausage until browned, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, marinara sauce and red pepper flakes to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, salt and pepper.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Add to a mixing bowl with lots of room to stir everything together!
- Make It Cheesy: Toss the sausage marinara sauce with the cooked pasta and 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Transfer to Dish: Pour the mix into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the top
- Bake: Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
- Rest: Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this baked penne pasta recipe with sides like:
Storage + Reheating
- To Store: Allow the pasta bake to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: Let the dish cool fully, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. For individual portions, slice and store them in freezer-safe containers or bags.
- To Reheat: For refrigerated leftovers, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out. For frozen pasta, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 30-40 minutes, or until warmed through. For a quick option, microwave individual portions, stirring occasionally for even heating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Freeze cooled portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, or freeze an entire pan of this recipe before baking. Thaw in the fridge, then bake as instructed.
You can, but note that some gluten-free pastas are more prone to falling apart. But the dish will still taste delicious!
Mild or spicy Italian sausage are perfect, but ground turkey also works.
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Need help with this recipe?
Click the buttons below to summarize it, adjust for diets, swap ingredients, or ask your own questions!
Baked Penne
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
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 4.5 cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ 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 9×13-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!
Video
Notes
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Boil your penne just until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). It will finish cooking in the oven, soaking up all those delicious flavors without turning mushy.
- Layer the Cheese: Don’t just sprinkle cheese on top but make sure to mix some into the pasta before baking! This ensures gooey, cheesy goodness in every bite, while the top gets that golden, bubbly crust.
- Let it Rest Before Serving: After pulling the pasta bake from the oven, let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This helps it set, making it easier to serve while keeping all the flavors intact.
This looks so comforting 😍 Cheesy, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd — definitely one to try!
I’ve made this and it’s such a cosy, satisfying meal. Cheesy, filling, and perfect for sharing!
This looks like the ultimate comfort food!
Absolutely delicious! Reminded me of something my grandma used to make.
Made this for Sunday dinner and it disappeared fast. Thanks for another winner!