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Crispy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Easy Cheesy Golden Crust Recipe

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A quick and easy pasta bake featuring Italian sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy golden crust, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or spicy, casings removed
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta, uncooked
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with sausage. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
  5. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until creamy and slightly thickened. Add water or broth if sauce is too thick.
  7. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with sauce.
  8. Transfer pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading evenly.
  9. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then dust with grated Parmesan.
  10. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
  11. Switch oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese turns golden and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

Undercook pasta slightly to prevent mushiness after baking. Browning sausage well adds depth of flavor. Broil at the end for a crispy golden crust. Let the bake rest before serving to thicken the sauce. Adjust salt carefully as Italian sausage can be salty.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage pasta bake, cheesy pasta bake, crispy pasta bake, easy pasta recipe, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/crispy-italian-sausage-pasta-bake-easy-cheesy-golden-crust-recipe/