Description
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake brings comfort straight from an Italian kitchen to your dinner table. Warm cheese, hearty sausage, and rich sauce combine for a satisfying meal that makes your family smile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 375°F. Grab a large pot and generously salt the water for cooking pasta.
- Drop 12 oz penne into boiling water. Cook exactly according to package instructions until perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble 1 lb Italian sausage into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking for 5-7 minutes until completely browned.
- Toss 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves into the sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions become transparent and aromatic.
- Pour in 14 oz drained diced tomatoes, 1 cup baby spinach, and 1 cup heavy cream. Sprinkle 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3-4 minutes until spinach softens.
- Fold cooked penne into the creamy sausage mixture, ensuring every pasta piece gets coated with sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread evenly across the surface.
- Scatter 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Slide the dish into the preheated 375°F oven. Bake 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling golden crust.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Optionally scatter fresh basil leaves on top before serving hot.
Notes
- Use fresh Italian sausage for the best flavor and richness in the dish.
- Drain the pasta just shy of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
- Swap out regular pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free varieties to make the dish more diet-friendly.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream and use turkey sausage instead of traditional pork sausage.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-36 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 557 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg