Satisfying and flavorful, this cheesy pasta bake with Italian sausage is great on Lasagna night.Difficulty: Beginner.
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Pasta, Pork
Method Oven
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour3 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour18 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Equipment
9 x 13 Baking Pan
Medium Soup Pot
Pasta Pot and Colander To cook & drain pasta
INGREDIENTS
8ouncesMostaccioli or Penne Pasta
½Lb.bulk mild Italian Sausage OR 5 Links
1Medium Onion - Chopped - Small
1cloveGarlic - Minced
1jarPasta Sauce - any flavor (26 ounce)
½tsp.Italian Seasoning
1 ½cupsMozzarella Cheese - Divided - Shredded
Chopped Parsley to garnish - optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" x 13" rectangular baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook and drain pasta until al dente. It should still be firm and not quite done.
Meanwhile, in a pot, cook sausage until browned, stirring frequently to break sausage into small pieces. Add onion and garlic, cook until tender, stirring occasionally. (If using Links, slit and remove casing. Break into small pieces.)
Add pasta sauce and Italian seasoning to pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Combine cooked Pasta, sauce mixture, and half of the cheese. Transfer to baking dish, cover, and bake for 35 minutes, or until bubbly.
Uncover; top with remaining cheese. Bake 8 minutes longer, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Notes
Garnish with Parsley &/or sprinkle with Parmesan when serving, if desired.