Sausage and Pepper Pasta Bake
Sausage and Pepper Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or hot
- 1 yellow onion, medium, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, medium, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 can
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
For Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease and transfer the cooked sausage to a plate.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 8 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sausage and Pepper Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or hot
- 1 yellow onion, medium, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, medium, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 can
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
For Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease and transfer the cooked sausage to a plate.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 8 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min