Description
Cheesy Sausage Penne is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage, creamy layers of cream cheese and sour cream, and gooey melted cheddar cheese. This flavorful recipe combines tender penne pasta with a rich spaghetti sauce infused with garlic, baked to bubbly perfection, making it a perfect family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
Pasta
- 1 package (16 ounces) uncooked penne pasta
Creamy Mixture
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 green onions, sliced
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the sausage and prepare sauce: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain excess fat. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Cook pasta and mix cream cheese filling: Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well. In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and sliced green onions until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Assemble the casserole: Grease a shallow 3-quart baking dish. Layer half of the cooked pasta in the dish, followed by half of the sausage and sauce mixture. Spoon dollops of half the cream cheese mixture over the layers, and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat these layers once more, finishing with cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake the casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or ziti for similar texture.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- To reduce fat, choose lower-fat cream cheese and sour cream versions.
- Freshly chopped parsley can be added on top for garnish and added freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
