Five Cheese & Italian Sausage Baked Penne
- Brianne Thomas
- Jul 17, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 3
My twist on the classic lasagna features a delicious mix of five rich cheeses, savory Italian sausage, and budget-friendly pantry ingredients to create an amazingly flavorful sauce.
We absolutely adore pasta here! If you enjoy gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and robust pasta, this baked penne with Italian sausage is a must-try for your weeknight meals. With about 15 minutes of prep time, it’s the perfect easy and comforting dish for those chilly evenings when you want to snuggle up with something hearty. Plus, this recipe is make-ahead and freezer-friendly, so you can whip up a large batch and have a delicious dinner ready whenever you need it!
Why You’ll Love This 5 Cheese and Italian Sausage Baked Penne
Easy to Prepare:Â This recipe is easy, even for the novice cook. A simple sear on the steak, a quick pan sauce, and this delicious dinner is ready in no time.
Crowd Pleaser:Â This dish is simple and impressive, making it perfect for a typical busy Monday evening or a Friday night dinner party!
It Gets Better: If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this dish is even more delicious the next day! See my helpful tips on how to reheat properly.
How To Serve 5 Cheese and Italian Sausage Baked Penne
Serve this hearty pasta dish with a side of Simple Sauteed Green Beans and a crusty loaf of Garlic and Herb Sourdough Boule for a completely homemade Italian-inspired dinner.
Helpful Tips For Making 5 Cheese and Italian Sausage Baked Penne
Pasta. Cook the penne until it reaches just a minute or so before reaching al dente. This will help to avoid overcooking it in the oven.
Salt. Always add salt to your pasta water. This is the only chance you have to season the pasta itself.
Vegetables. Don’t overcook the vegetables. You want them soft and tender, not charred.
Advertisement
Want More Tasty Italian-Inspired Recipes?
Ingredients
6 quarts water
16 ounces ziti pasta
1 pound ground Italian sausage, hot or mild
1 large onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
7 cups crushed Fire Roasted tomatoes
1 large egg
16 ounces small curd cottage cheese
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons basil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon parsley
1 Tablespoon ground black pepper
½ Tablespoon fine sea salt, plus 1 teaspoon for pasta water
1 ½ pound freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
5 ounces finely shredded parmesan cheese, divided
4 ounces freshly shredded smoked provolone cheese, divided
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large 6-quart pot, bring water with 1 Tablespoon of salt to a boil. Add pasta and cook for approximately 5-6 minutes until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta.
In large skillet with high edges over medium-high heat, cook Italian sausage until browned.
Remove meat from skillet and move to a paper towel-lined plate.
Add onions and peppers to skillet. Sauté for approximately 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and garlic. Sauté for another 3-5 minutes.
Add meat mixture to pan with onion mixture. Add crushed tomatoes and mix well.
In a large bowl, mix egg, cottage cheese, and half of each cheese. Add pasta and all spices. Stir to combine.
Allow sauce to come to room temperature, then mix with cheese mixture.
Lightly grease a 10x15 baking dish or two 9x13 baking dishes with non-stick spray.
Add pasta mixture to baking dish and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes.
Remove pasta from oven and top with remaining cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.
How to Store 5 Cheese and Italian Sausage Baked Penne
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze 5 Cheese and Italian Sausage Baked Penne
Assemble dish as directed up to the point of just before baking. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw completely in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for approximately 35-40 minutes or until completely heated through.
Make this recipe with me on YouTube!
Want to help a small family business in a big way? Share this recipe with someone who loves delicious homemade food as much as you do!
Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank-you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!
Advertisement