Layered Sausage and Cheese Bake
Layered Sausage and Cheese Bake
Ingredients
For the Sausage Layer
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Cheese Layer
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, large
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- as needed non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
While the sausage sauce is simmering, prepare the cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
To assemble the bake, spread half of the sausage mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Carefully spread the entire ricotta cheese mixture over the sausage layer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Top the ricotta layer with the remaining sausage mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of sausage.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Layered Sausage and Cheese Bake
For the Sausage Layer
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Cheese Layer
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, large
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- as needed non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
While the sausage sauce is simmering, prepare the cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
To assemble the bake, spread half of the sausage mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Carefully spread the entire ricotta cheese mixture over the sausage layer.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Top the ricotta layer with the remaining sausage mixture.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of sausage.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375