Description
A rich and comforting Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake featuring tender penne pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, sautéed onions and garlic, baby spinach, and a luscious cream sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this hearty dish is ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Sauce and Sausage Mix
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease as needed to avoid a greasy dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: To the same skillet with sausage, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, baby spinach, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and flavors meld together.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet and gently stir everything together so the pasta is well coated with the creamy sausage sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the pasta for a cheesy crust once baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- The sausage can be substituted with ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
- For extra veggies, consider adding sliced mushrooms or bell peppers when sautéing the onions.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
- Make sure to not overcook the pasta before baking, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
