Baked Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage
Updated April 28, 2011
Last week Josh and his brother, Matt, spent numerous hours working in our yard. I feel guilty because I really didn’t help much. I think I picked up a rake once, oops! They really worked hard and did a great job. I did contribute by feeding them though. That should count for something, right?
One night I made pasta for the boys. I love pasta because it is cheap, easy, and the choices are endless. We had leftover grilled Italian sausages and ricotta cheese so I decided to do a baked pasta. I added in onion, garlic, and roasted peppers too. I topped everything off with my homemade marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
The individual baked pastas came out nice and bubbly. The guys were thrilled to come in for dinner. I didn’t taste it because I don’t do meat, but the lack of conversation at the dinner table was a good sign. They devoured their pasta in minutes.
Sorry this recipe is kind of random. I just made it up as I was cooking. If you have questions let me know. I don’t think you can mess it up! Just mix it all up, bake, and I am sure something good will come out of the oven:)
Tomorrow we are leaving for Palm Beach, Florida. We will be vacationing for an entire week. Josh’s brother, Ben, and his wife, Whitney, are joining us. Should be a great time! We will try to check in from the beach! If anyone has Palm Beach suggestions-places to go or eat, let us know! Thanks friends!
(Printable Recipe)
Penne pasta-cook until al dente, drain and set aside
Olive oil
Garlic-chopped
Onion, chopped
Fennel seed
Crushed red pepper
Basil, chopped
Roasted peppers-I used red and yellow-we had some in the freezer
Italian sausage-I used leftover grilled Colosimo’s sausage, just cut it into chunks
Marinara sauce-I used my homemade sauce, but you can use store bought
Ricotta cheese
Mozzarella cheese
1. Spray baking dish with cooking spray. I used 2 individual dishes. You can use a big one for a large group. Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of the dishes.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add in onion, garlic, fennel seed, crushed red pepper, basil, and roasted peppers. Cook until tender.
3. Add in sausage chunks. Cook for a couple of minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix pasta with marinara sauce. Add in the pepper/sausage mixture.
5. Divide pasta evenly in dishes, or put all of it in one big dish.
6. Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese into the pasta dishes. Make sure to mix it a little bit. You want it to be in with the pasta/sauce mixture.
7. Sprinkle with mozzerella cheese and mix a little bit.
8. Cover the top of the pasta with more mozzerella and fresh basil.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until bubbly.
10. Enjoy!
Wow that really looks so so baked dleicous 🙂
Your boys certainly have been working hard but so have you Maria with your wonderful creations to feed them! I love pasta and this looks gorgeous – a must try.
Rosie x
The pasta sounds delicious! Have a great time in Florida!
one of my fav dishes and would you believe my hubby is Italian and does NOT like italian sausage? so when I make this I have to make a small one for me or else I eat it all!
I love such casseroles! A delicious looking dish!
Cheers,
Rosa
Looks wonderful! I love baked pastas, as well.
This is just darn good comfort food!
Yummy comfort food! Have a great time on your trip!!!
Looks fabulous- nothing beats a good pasta dish. Have SO much fun on your vacation!
Feeding the work crew is JUST as important! Have an amazing vacation!! Wear sunscreen 🙂
I love this type of casserole. You’ll be able to hoardes delicious and nutritious food. Have a wonderful day.
Yum, the bet the guys enjoyed this! It looks delicious. Pasta is always a great “go to” meal.
I make something very similar, hadn’t thought to add peppers. Yours looks really good! Great photo!
Bring an umbrella and lots of sunscreen! It’s our rainy season. Most days at some point during the day it storms and then is all clear again. Hope the weather behaves for ya. Enjoy your vacation!
~ingrid
We are in Toronto for the long weekend, where it is rainy and cold – so this looks amazing! Exactly the kind of warm and comforting dish I could use right now.
I love it – it looks delicious. I always like the way the top goes a little crispy – that’s the best bit!
You guys are going to have so much fun, so jealous. You will need to blog about it for us. Have you ever tried to use the soy sausage, know what I’m talking about? Anyways, I haven’t yet, but I got some the other day, and can’t wait to try it.
This looks like one of my favorite meals – and I love that you made them individually!
Looks fantastic! Have fun on your trip!
wow that sounds delicious!!! Anything with ricotta and mozzarella is my fav!
can’t go wrong with this comforting dish 🙂
Baked pasta always looks so rustic, like something a grandma would make!
We always eat at the Crab House. They have a beautiful covered porch that you can sit right up to the water while you eat. Very relaxing. It is in Jupiter, just the next town up. I bought the pb chips to make my son the choc/pb cookies. He is going to LOVE them.
They looks great! Have a wonderful vacation!
That looks delicious. I love baked pastas too (like the one I did for Mom’s birthday). Cheesy, gooey goodness. You hit it on the head.
Have a great vacation!
I agree with you pasta is cheap, easy and delicious…and this is no exception!
When things are individually cooked they are always so much more fun! Looks delicious!
That looks great. One of our favorite go-to meals here is pasta. It just may have to be dinner tonight–we even have some leftover brats from Monday. Hmm. Great idea, Maria.
Have a GREAT time on your vacation!!!
Have a great time on vacation!! I love dinners like this, this is comfort food!!
You definitely contributed if you fed them a fantastic pasta dish like that one 🙂
I hope you have a fabulous vacation!
I love ricotta. I am slowly but surely getting the hubs to also.
These are such great dishes and almost anything can be added. I like that you have roasted peppers and Italian Sausage in there- such a great combination.
Looks good. have fun!
Sounds absolutely delicious for a random recipe.
I don’t know if it’s just because I’m starving, but that looks divine!
Oh yum! I love sausages and that looks perfect for hungry men!
Way to use up the left overs! Looks wonderfully tasty. Hope you have a great vacation.
This sounds delicious – I love a good baked pasta dish. Have a great vacation!!
I could go for a nice big bowl of this! It looks soooo good!
I love these kinds of casual recipes, totally delish!
I. Need. A. Bite. or two. 🙂
I’d be thrilled to come into dinner and be greeted with this dish! Looks delicious! Have a great time in Palm beach. Snap a picture to share. 🙂
I love recipes that come together almost randomly like this. Hope you have a great time on vacay!
like u i m a pasta afficianado too…
great recipe thanks for sharing 🙂
Have a fabulous vacation!
Your pasta looks like the ultimate comfort food!
I think it sounds great! My kind of meal!
Have fun on your vacation! I’ve never been there before. I bet you’ll have a good time.
I hope your injury feels better and that vaca does your belly well!
I love these pasta dishes that can be thrown together in a flash. I would say you did your part:D
i’m sure there were no complaints about your lack of raking. i know it’s a horrible stereotype to say that women belong in the kitchen, but it’s where i’d rather be!!
The pasta looks great. Have a GREAT time on vacation – I’m jealous!
YUM – looks hearty and delicious!
Penne and sausage bake sounds excellent, what a nice meal!
Baked pastas are the best. This looks delicious! Have a great trip!
These baked pastas are always a treat for me 🙂 Have a great holiday! 🙂
I love it when pasta and baked go in the same sentence. Whole wheat pasta would be awesome too, nice nutty and wholesome flavor.
Thanks for this “random” recipe–I can tell it’s a real winner. Todd would totally love a dish like this. And judging by Josh’s reaction, it was AMAZING! By the way, Palm Beach sounds wonderful 🙂 What fun!
This is my kind of comfort food – yum!
Catching up on your blog is totally making my stomach growl! That looks soooo good!
Isn't it funny how when no one talks during a meal you KNOW it's good? LOL
Why are there no quantities for the ingredients? I know I’ve made this before and pretty sure I didn’t have to wing it. 😉 I think something dropped off at some point.