Baked Penne

5 from 5 votes

This cheesy baked penne pasta with savory Italian sausage, rich marinara, and melty cheese is perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday supper!

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked penne pasta

Servings: servings

Calories: 552kcal

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!

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.