Description
Indulge in this comforting Hearty Spinach and Sausage Pasta Bake, a delicious Italian-American casserole that’s perfect for a satisfying family dinner. With layers of penne pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a cheesy topping, this dish is sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Penne Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Italian Sausage Mixture:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 5 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Cheese:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Cook penne pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a skillet, sauté onion in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Cook Sausage Mixture: Add Italian sausage, breaking it up and cook until browned. Stir in spinach until wilted.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix pasta, sausage mixture, marinara sauce, and ricotta. Season and transfer to a baking dish.
- Add Cheese: Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier bake, add 1/2 cup of heavy cream or milk to the sauce.
- Try turkey sausage for a leaner option or add mushrooms/bell peppers for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
