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Sausage Pasta Bake: The 5-Ingredient Dish You Cant Mess Up

  • Author: Eden
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A foolproof, five-ingredient weeknight dinner featuring Italian sausage, penne, marinara, cream cheese, and mozzarella. This hands-off bake is creamy, cheesy, and impossible to mess up.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
  • 12 ounces penne rigate pasta
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
  • 8 ounces block cream cheese (full-fat, cut into cubes)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions but stop 1 minute short of al dente. Drain and set aside (do not rinse).
  3. While pasta boils, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break into small pieces. Brown for 5-6 minutes until no pink remains. Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add marinara sauce and cream cheese cubes to the skillet. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until cream cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Add a splash of pasta water if too thick.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss until every noodle is coated in the creamy sauce.
  6. Transfer mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over the top.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set.

Notes

Use full-fat block cream cheese, not spreadable tub cream cheese, for best melting results. Shred your own mozzarella to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Do not drain all the sausage fat as it adds flavor. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to thicken the sauce. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 680
  • Fat: 24
  • Saturated Fat: 11
  • Carbohydrates: 52
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 22

Keywords: sausage pasta bake, easy dinner, 5 ingredient recipe, weeknight meals, creamy pasta, comfort food, family friendly

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Find it online: https://dinnercraft.online/sausage-pasta-bake-the-5-ingredient-dish-you-cant-mess-up/