This delicious and creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake is pure comfort food! It’s full of deliciously seasoned meat sauce with hot Italian sausage and a creamy white sauce that is absolutely amazing. The two sauces combined with mini bowtie pasta and mozzarella cheese make the most incredible pasta casserole recipe you are sure to love.
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Do you love pasta? I’m guessing you said yes. Do you think casseroles are the best thing ever invented? I’m going to assume you’re like me and you said yes to that, too. Well, if you love both of these things, then get ready for your dream recipe.
This pasta bake combines the delicious flavors of an Italian dinner served up in casserole form. It’s perfect for a weekend family dinner or a potluck main dish where everyone can simply scoop out as much as they like. It’s an all-purpose dish that everyone always loves, and it’s so easy to make. You can’t beat that!
For more pasta bakes you’ve got to try this Meatball Baked Pasta and Baked Bowtie Pasta next!
Why You’ll Love This Italian Sausage Casserole
- Great Flavors. Zesty Italian sausage cooked in a homemade tomato sauce combined with a creamy white sauce, pasta, and shredded mozzarella cheese. What’s not to love!
- Crowd Pleaser. This is one of those baked pasta dishes the whole family will enjoy – AND request often!
- So Easy to Make. It’s quick and easy to make and I bet iyou’ll want to make this again and again.
Ingredients
This pasta bake with Italian sausage only requires a few simple ingredients to make. You’ll find them all easily at your local grocery store, – and most, likely – in your pantry.
- Mini bowtie pasta: My top choice for this pasta bake but you can easily replace it with another short pasta shape such as penne or macaroni.
- Mozzarella cheese: For topping your Italian sausage bake, giving it the perfect cheesy finish.
- Ground hot Italian sausage: This well-seasoned pork sausage makes the perfect addition to the meat sauce for this pasta bake.
- Onion: Cooked with the Italian sausage to layer in savory flavors making it more flavorful.
- Seasonings: A simple combination of garlic powder, Slap ya mama, black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, and basil give the tomato sauce it’s classic Italian flavors.
- Tomatoes: We will use a combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste.
- Butter and all purpose flour: Used to make the roux for the creamy white sauce.
- Heavy cream: Gives the white sauce the ultimate creaminess.
- Parmesan cheese: Parmesan brings a rich, nutty, and salty flavor while also helping to thicken the sauce.
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients along with the quantities of each one.
Variations
- Milder Flavors: Use mild or regular Italian sausage and omit the red pepper flakes for a little less heat.
- Skip the Pork: Swap out the Italian sausage for ground turkey or ground beef.
- Vegetables: Add some mushrooms or spinach to the cream sauce for more flavor and texture.
How to Make a Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage
Making this recipe is incredibly simple. The sauces are both straightforward, and after they’re made, it’s a simple matter of layering. That’s it! To get started, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water over medium high heat using the package directions for al dente. Reserve a half cup of pasta water, then drain and rinse the pasta. Set it aside for later.
- Step 2: Saute the Sausage. Cook the Italian sausage and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions are tender. Drain off the excess grease and return the sausage and onions to the pan
- Step 3: Make the Meat Sauce. Sprinkle in all seasonings and stir. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Stir together and simmer covered, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Start the White Sauce. Melt the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Stir in the flour and mix until combined. Next, pour the heavy whipping cream into the pan and stir to mix into into the butter and flour mixture.
- Step 5: Make it Cheesy and Finish. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until it’s melted. Season with salt and pepper. Finally, stir the pasta water into the sauce and add the cooked pasta, stirring to combine.
- Step 6: Assemble. Pour the pasta and white sauce into the prepared baking dish followed by the meat sauce. Top it off with the mozzarella cheese.
- Step 7: Bake and Serve. Bake the Italian sausage casserole with pasta uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Never cook your pasta more than al dente. It will cook a bit longer once the casserole goes in the oven so if you boil it too long, you’ll end up with mushy pasta.
- Making the white sauce. Stir frequently when making your white sauce to avoid clumping, sticking, or burning.
Serving Ideas
This casserole is an entire meal on its own, so I don’t recommend heavy sides with it for family dinner. However, if you’re making an Italian-themed spread, you can pair it with several other dishes for a flavor explosion.
- You’re favorite side salad, chopped salad, or simple vegetable side dish.
- We love this pasta bake with sausage along with our favorite crusty loaf of bread, cheesy bread, or some toasted garlic Texas toast.
- Combine it with these other pastas for your spread! This homemade lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, pasta carbonara or our chicken fettuccine Alfredo.
Storage Directions
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze it wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil in its original baking dish.
To reheat this recipe, place the pasta bake in a casserole dish, cover it, and bake it at 350 for about 20 minutes or until it’s hot and bubbly.
Try This Delicious Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Today
This super easy pasta bake is loaded with flavor, not work. In just a few minutes and a few simple steps, you’ll have a rich, cheesy, meaty pasta bake that will have everyone coming back for more. It’s the perfect meal for a family dinner or any special occasion. Give it a try, and I know you’ll find that you feature it heavily in your dinner rotation.
More Delicious Italian Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy
And, try this Rigatoni Pasta Bake from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. This dish is hearty, cheesy, and made with a homemade tomato sauce.
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Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 2 pound ground hot Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon slap ya mama
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 29 ounce can tomato sauce
- 12 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
For the Creamy White Sauce
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 6 ounce shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup of pasta water
- 16 ounce box mini bowtie pasta
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
For the Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet, or frying pan, over medium high heat, cook Italian sausage and onions until sausage is no longer pink and onions are tender. Drain and return to pan.
- Sprinkle with seasonings, stir.
- Pour tomato sauce and tomato paste into the meat mixture. Stir to combine, cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally.
For the Creamy White Sauce
- Cook pasta per package directions for al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter and then stir in flour.
- Pour heavy whipping cream into the pan and stir until combined.
- Add Parmesan cheese, stir until melted and add salt and pepper.
- Add pasta water to cheese sauce, stir.
- Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce, stir to combine.
- Pour pasta and cheese sauce into the prepared baking dish followed by the sausage mixture on top.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.
Notes
- Never cook your pasta more than al dente. It will cook a bit longer once the casserole goes in the oven so if you boil it too long, you’ll end up with mushy pasta.
- Making the white sauce. Stir frequently when making your white sauce to avoid clumping, sticking, or burning.
