Description
Baked Penne is a delightful dish that combines chewy pasta shells, savory Italian sausage, and gooey melted cheeses, all baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a quick dinner or a comforting meal, this casserole is easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 teaspoon olive oil, or cooking oil of choice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup shallots, (or onions) minced
- 12 oz italian sausage, removed from casing
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- ¾ cup low fat (2%) cottage cheese, small curds
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped italian parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and let them cool.
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallots, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the sausage, stirring until browned while breaking it into small pieces. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, granulated sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then let it cool for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the cooled sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cubes. Combine well, then transfer to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. For a golden top, broil for 30-45 seconds. Allow to rest for 5-8 minutes before serving, garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
Use your favorite pasta shape instead of medium shells if desired.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the sauce for extra nutrition.
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 50mg