Easy Baked Italian Sausage Pasta
This easy Baked Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe can be made spicy or not spicy. It’s meat and tomato base is hearty and filling and perfect for a weekday dinner or a Sunday dinner, too.
I don’t know what I would do without pasta when it comes to cooking for the family and particularly the babies. They love pasta and when I can’t think of anything else to cook, or if the ole’ pantry is getting low – I know I can whip up a batch of some type of pasta and create a hearty meal everyone will enjoy. I love to use a variety of pastas…corkscrew, rainbow, penne – you name it. While I probably use ground beef or ground turkey in most of my pasta dishes, I also love to use chorizo or Italian sausage too. My fave is a mixture of meets to get great flavor impact.
Pasta is also a great way to sneak in some veggies. No – not necessarily sneak them in for my babies, but for my hubby. LOL I think you will enjoy this easy recipe.
Pasta Cooking Tips:
- Fill your pot properly with enough water so the pasta is completely submerged. *(reserve some pasta water for thickening)
- Salt your water like the sea. If you aren’t sure if there is enough salt, give it some more.
- Bring your water to a rapid boil prior to adding your pasta.
- Drop your pasta and immediately stir it.
- Check the package for proper cooking times as various pastas have different cook times.
More Pasta Recipes:
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Tools Used in Making This Dish:
Ground Meat Chopping Tool : I do not know what I did before I had this amazing kitchen gadget.
Multi-Use Garlic Press: Multi Garlic Gadget – Presses, Minces and Crushes and Peels. I have shared this before but I LOVE it.
Onion Dicer: If onions torment your eyes like they do mine, you will thank me.
Mini Porcelain Baking Dishes: similar to the ones shown
- 1 Lb. Bulk-style Italian Sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14.5oz) Diced Red Tomatoes
- 1 can tomato paste
- 8 oz. Cooked Pasta (penne, rotini, etc)
- 1/4 Cup Chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 T dry parsley
- 1/2 T dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 Cup dry red wine *(optional)
- 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Heat Olive Oil in medium sized pan on medium heat. Once pan is hot add onions and peppers. Cook until al dente. Add garlic. Cook veggies until soft. Do not burn the garlic as it will become tender. Remove veggies from heat and remove from pan. Add Italian Sausage. As it cooks continue to chop into smaller pieces to prevent it from cooking in larger chunks. Once done, remove fro heat, drain on paper towel.
- While veggies and meat are cooking, place a large Cookpot on medium high heat. Add tomatoes, herbs and dry seasonings (do not add fresh basil), wine, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce and sugar. Allow to simmer. Add drained meat and veggies and continue to simmer until sauce is thickened. If sauce has not thickened, add about a 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water.
- Once sauce is ready, add cooked pasta and stir well. Add 1.2 cups shredded cheese. Ladle pasta into a large casserole or into smaller individual baking dishes. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese and chopped fresh basil on top. Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven until cheese is melted.
How delicious – thanks.
View CommentMy husband likes only a few pastas, but I bet he would like the Italian Sausage Pasta Casserole. We use smoked turkey sausage instead of Italian because of the spices. But hubby loves spaghetti with meat sauce. Thanks for this recipe. He may actually eat macaroni! Best wishes ?
View CommentYou can use any kind of meat. I know this sounds crazy but I truly feel the red wine is what makes it so good. And it cooks out so no worries if you don’t like wine. Just use your smoked turkey sausage instead. Hope he likes it. 🙂 Barb
View CommentHi Barb! Oooh, you’ve got a new photo in the corner! I clicked on the email link to see your favorite kitchen gadgets,but it took me to the recipe instead. I love making this…. I usually add bell pepper. I really wanted to see more info about the ground beef thingy. I use a wooden thing….like a wooden spoon but it’s flat and has an edge on it, which helps to break up the large pieces of hamburger. Where did you find this wonderful invention ???
View CommentHey Patty if you scroll down the recipe post the link is there. But, here it is so you don’t have to go back. I swear its my all time fave kitchen gadget for browning any kind of meat. You will love it. 🙂
http://amzn.to/2wEddUS
View CommentThe Temptation is REAL!
These sound absolutely delicious, but for right now I can’t. I just can’t.. Not until I lose some of what I gained just reading this!
View CommentLOL that is funny. I see you have the same “weight gain” disease I have too. 😀
View CommentHi Barb!
I’m excited that you have this recipe here as I have had a package of Italian sausage in the freezer that needs to be eaten and I’ve been looking for a simple recipe for quite some time. Will let you know how we like it! 🙂
Thank you and I shared on FB and on Pinterest for you,
View Commentxoxo Barb 🙂
Thanks Barbara you are awesome. If you share it on your FB page etc make sure you tag #TheEverydayHome please. 🙂
View CommentThis dish looks delish! I pinned it and will make it soon!
View Comment