Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food: this cheesy, hearty Italian Sausage Pasta Bake. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, combining savory Italian sausage, perfectly cooked pasta, a rich marinara sauce, and a glorious trio of melted cheeses. This recipe is incredibly easy to assemble and is guaranteed to have the whole family coming back for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a delicious meal-prep option, this baked pasta dish is a total winner.
We’re taking simple ingredients and turning them into something truly special. This isn’t just another baked ziti; it’s a flavor-packed casserole that brings the heart of Italian-American cooking right to your kitchen table. Prepare for rave reviews!
Why You’ll Love This Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of spicy or sweet Italian sausage with rich tomato sauce and herbs is simply irresistible.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s rustic enough for a simple family dinner yet impressive enough to serve to guests.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the entire dish ahead of time and bake it right before serving, making it a lifesaver for busy days.
- Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Layers of pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese—what’s not to love? It’s a classic comfort dish that satisfies every time.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Pasta Bake
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect Italian Sausage Pasta Bake.
Choosing Your Sausage
The star of the show is the Italian sausage. You have a few options, and each brings a unique flavor. For a bit of a kick, use hot Italian sausage. If you prefer a more classic, savory flavor, opt for mild or sweet Italian sausage. You can typically find it in links or in bulk. If you buy links, simply remove the casings before cooking.
The Best Pasta Shapes for Baking
You need a pasta that can hold up to the hearty sauce and baking process. Tubular shapes are ideal because they capture the sauce perfectly. Look for:
- Penne: A classic choice with ridges that cling to the sauce.
- Rigatoni: Larger than penne, with wide tubes that are perfect for catching bits of sausage and cheese.
- Ziti: A smooth, tube-shaped pasta that is a traditional choice for baked dishes.
A Trio of Cheeses for Ultimate Creaminess
We use three different kinds of cheese to achieve the perfect balance of flavor and that irresistible cheese pull. A rich and creamy ricotta filling, gooey mozzarella, and salty, sharp Parmesan cheese come together to create a truly decadent experience. For the best melt, I highly recommend grating your own mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta Bake (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is surprisingly simple to put together. We’ll start by browning the sausage and aromatics, then combine everything into a delicious casserole ready for the oven. Follow these steps for guaranteed success.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions until it’s just shy of al dente. It will finish cooking in the oven, so you don’t want it to be too soft. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned. Add the diced onion and garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Pour in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and marinara sauce. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the top. Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
- Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown top, you can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Pasta Bake
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking the pasta just until al dente is key. It will absorb more sauce and finish cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
- Use Full-Fat Cheese: For the creamiest, richest flavor and best melt, use full-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the pasta bake to rest for at least 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is crucial. This lets the casserole set, making it much easier to slice and serve. If you’re looking for another easy weeknight meal, try this One-Pot Beefaroni recipe.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it to your liking! For a different cheesy bake, check out this Baked Mostaccioli recipe (coming soon).
Creamy Sausage Pasta Bake
For an even richer, creamier sauce, stir in a 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a 4-ounce block of softened cream cheese into the marinara sauce during step 3. It adds a wonderful silky texture to the final dish.
Add a Veggie Boost
This is a great recipe for sneaking in some extra vegetables. Try adding a cup of chopped spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or diced bell peppers to the sausage and onion mixture. You could also try making Ricotta Stuffed Shells (coming soon) for another veggie-friendly option.
What to Serve with Your Bake
This Italian Sausage Pasta Bake is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette is a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta. Some crusty garlic bread is also a must-have for soaking up any extra sauce on your plate.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This pasta bake makes for fantastic leftovers. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can place individual portions in the microwave until heated through. For larger amounts, place the casserole back in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this dish freezes beautifully. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. Wrap the dish tightly in both plastic wrap and foil. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
There are two key tips. First, make sure you have enough sauce to coat all the pasta generously. Second, don’t over-bake it. Cook just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Baking it for too long can cause the sauce to evaporate and the noodles to dry out.
If you’re not a fan of ricotta, you can substitute it with full-fat cottage cheese (blended for a smoother texture) or even a cream cheese-based mixture for a similar creamy layer.
The great thing about this recipe is its versatility. Hot Italian sausage will give it a spicy kick, while mild or sweet Italian sausage provides a classic, savory flavor. Use whichever you prefer!
The Best Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
Italian Sausage Pasta Bake (The Ultimate Cheesy Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Drain excess grease. Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, the egg, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the sausage sauce.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the top. Cover with the remaining pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and the cheese is melted. Broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden-brown top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't overcook the pasta initially, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Tip 3: Let the pasta bake rest before slicing to ensure it holds its shape.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this Italian Sausage Pasta Bake as much as we do! It’s a comforting, delicious, and easy recipe that’s sure to become a new family favorite. If you make it, we’d love to see it! Share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest and tag us. Happy cooking!
