Description
This Baked Penne is a delightful cheesy casserole featuring Italian sausage, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich tomato sauce. Quick and simple to prepare, it serves up comfort in every bite, making it an ideal choice for a family dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 teaspoon olive oil, or cooking oil of choice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup shallots, (or onions) minced
- 12 oz italian sausage, removed from casing
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- ¾ cup low fat (2%) cottage cheese, small curds
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped italian parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells to al dente according to package directions. Drain and let them cool.
- In a medium pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add minced garlic and shallots, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the Italian sausage, cooking until browned while breaking it into smaller pieces. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, cooled sausage sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cubes. Transfer to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Broil for 30-45 seconds to achieve a golden-brown top. Allow to rest for 5-8 minutes before garnishing with parsley and serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano into the sauce.
You can substitute Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Feel free to use different types of cheese based on your preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg