Description
This Baked Penne | Cheesy Oven-Baked Pasta Casserole features hearty pasta, savory Italian sausage, and gooey mozzarella cheese, making it the perfect comforting dish for busy families seeking a hearty and satisfying meal. Simple to prepare, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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 set aside to cool.
- In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and shallots for 2-3 minutes until soft, stirring frequently. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasoning before cooling for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cubes. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted. If desired, broil for 30-45 seconds to brown the top. Let it sit for 5-8 minutes before serving and garnish with parsley.
Notes
For an extra kick, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your taste.
Use a mixture of cheeses, such as cheddar or provolone, for a different flavor profile.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 45mg