Baked Penne with Sausage
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Oct. 30, 2024
This Baked Penne with Sausage is the perfect 30-minute weeknight meal that’s incredibly delish and budget-friendly! It’s a favorite meal prep dinner the family loves.
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
We’re all about easy, satisfying dinner recipes that bring everyone to the table. Here’s why this dish is a winner:
- Lively Flavors: This recipe featured seasoned sausage, sweet bell peppers, and your favorite red sauce all tossed together with penne pasta and cooked to perfection! It reminds us of our super popular Penne with Vodka Sauce.
- Budget-Friendly: We use affordable, pantry staples to make this delicious baked penne to give you an effortlessly baked meal.
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you can make this easy pasta dish in just 30 minutes! We love it for busy weeknights, just like our 30-Minute Chili Mac.
- Make-Ahead: This dish can be assembled in advance, making it the perfect recipe for meal prep or for entertaining.
- Kids Love This: This is one of those favorite weeknight meals that will jump right into regular dinner rotation.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Sweet Italian Sausage – Italian sausage add a rich, savory flavor that sets this recipe apart. We slice them up for easy cooking and bite-sized pieces in every bite.
- Bell Peppers and Onions – Sliced bell peppers and onions add a fresh, slightly sweet flavor and a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender sausage and pasta.
- Pasta Sauce – We use a jar of our favorite tomato-based pasta sauce as a shortcut to add a robust base to our dish.
- Penne Pasta – We use penne pasta for its tube-like shape, which is perfect for capturing the sauce and small bits of sausage and veggies in every bite.
- Cheeses – A topping of mozzarella and parmesan cheese adds a gooey, salty finish that takes this dish to the next level.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitution and variation ideas:
- Meat: Feel free to use spicy Italian sausage, ground sausage, ground beef or ground turkey instead. If you use unseasoned ground meat, be sure to season and brown it prior to using. Try this seasoned salt using kosher salt.
- Cheese: The recipe calls for mozzarella and parmesan, but you can certainly get creative with your cheese choices. Try a blend of Italian cheeses or a sprinkle of sharp cheddar or gouda.
- Veggies: Try adding mushrooms, zucchini, or even some leafy greens like spinach or kale. You can also leave out the veggies if you prefer.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F and cook the sausage and onions in a pot over medium-high heat until brown and cooked through.
- Add sliced peppers and cook until tender.
- Stir in the pasta sauce, garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper. Then stir in the cooked penne.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake for 5-10 minutes then serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Ingredients: You can slice the sausage, onion, and bell peppers in advance. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 days before using them in the recipe.
- Assemble Ahead: This dish can be assembled ahead of time. Follow the recipe instructions, transfer the unbaked casserole to your desired baking dish, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy, sprinkle the cheese on top and bake.
- Meal Prep Full Dish: You can completely make this dish ahead of time and divide it into containers to serve throughout the week.
What To Serve With Baked Penne With Sausage
Vegetables
- A simple Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad adds freshness crispy nutrition to your meal.
- We also love serving it with our Easy Roasted Vegetables.
Bread
- This Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread is always a hit with the family.
- We also love these Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls for mopping up any extra sauce.
Soup
- A light, brothy soup can make a great starter for your meal. We recommend this Chicken and Vegetable Tortellini Soup or Minestrone Soup.
- If you prefer a creamier soup, try making this Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup or Curry Butternut Squash Soup.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of sausage is best for baked penne?
For this recipe, we recommend using 1 ½ lbs of cooked sweet Italian sausage links or your favorite flavor of sausage. You can also brown/cook ground sausage or substitute it with a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option.
Should I rinse the cooked penne pasta?
No, you should not rinse the cooked penne pasta. C233ook it a bit under al dente, drain it, and then stir it into the sauce. This way, it won’t overcook in the oven.
What type of pasta sauce should I use?
You can use any 24 oz jar of your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce for this recipe. Choose a sauce that you enjoy as it will be a key flavor in the dish. If you have the time, you can also make your own homemade pasta sauce.
How long does baked penne with sausage keep?
This dish can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Baked Penne with Sausage
This Baked Penne with Sausage is done in 30 minutes or less! Easy and ideal for busy weeknights. The savory, sweet, and tangy goodness of this dish makes it a family favorite. Watch them go back for seconds or thirds!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs sweet Italian sausage, cooked links, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded, sliced
- 24 oz tomato pasta sauce, your favorite brand or homemade
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- kosher salt , to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 10 oz penne pasta, cooked a bit under al dente and drained (not rinsed)
- 1 cup mozzarella
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F, with rack on upper middle position.
- In a large heavy pot, cook sausage and onions over medium high heat. Stir and cook about 5 minutes, or just until browned and cooked through.
- Add sliced peppers, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in red pasta sauce and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in cooked penne and coat well with sauce. Transfer to desired baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered, about 5-10 minutes, or just until cheese is melted.
Notes
- Feel free to use spicy Italian sausage links, or ground sausage. If using ground sausage, brown it in a skillet before adding to recipe.
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time, so they’re ready to go when you need them. This makes the cooking process much smoother.
- Feel free to use more or less cheese, as desired. It’s completely up to you!
- This recipe is part of our 30-Minute Meals Collection.
- We love serving this baked pasta with Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls to mop up any extra sauce.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 879kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 1251mg | Potassium: 752mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1042IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 3mg
More to Cook And Eat
- Chunky Sausage and Vegetable Pasta Sauce – This chunky sausage and vegetable pasta sauce is chock full of favorite ingredients. It is easy and flavorful. Leftover sauce tastes even better tomorrow!
- Penne with Vodka Sauce – This recipe for Penne with Vodka Sauce is the ultimate comfort dish taken up a notch. It’s tangy, slightly spicy, creamy, and with the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta – You can have a healthy, delicious, and fast meal with this 20-Minute Chicken Fajita Pasta. It’s a scrumptious skillet meal that’s made for busy weeknights!
- Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Vodka Sauce – Get out of a boring dinner rut with this mouthwatering Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Vodka Sauce. Don’t be fooled by its title; this dish is as easy as it gets.