Easy Baked Penne with Italian Sausage is some soul warming comfort food. And this one is so easy and delicious, the family will LOVE it! And as always, I offer my gluten free friends a delicious option!
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Easy Baked Penne with Italian Sausage in colorful baking dishes

TIPS FOR COOKING PASTA:

When cooking pasta there are only a few things to remember.

1. Follow pasta box cooking instructions, they usually are right on.

2. Salt the water for flavor.

3. To keep pasta from sticking be sure to have lots of water in your pot, at least several inches above the pasta to allow room for expansion.

4. stir frequently.

Easy Baked Penne with Italian Sausage garnished with fresh basil

MAKING THIS MEAL GLUTEN FREE AND JUST AS GOOD!

If you live without gluten you don’t have to miss out on exceptional pasta! Jovial Foods makes the best gluten free pasta around. I am lucky enough to live by a store that carries it, but if you aren’t you can order it here!

Easy Baked Penne with Italian Sausage topped with basil in baking dishes

 

 

The Recipe: Baked Penne with Italian Sausage

What you need:  a stock pot, a colander and microplane for grating mozzarella. If you want  the best gluten free pasta , <— click!

Print
Baked Penne with Italian Sausage (Gluten Free Option)
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

A delicious penne baked in marinara sauce

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: easy dinner recipe, easy pasta recipe, kid-friendly recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
  • 16 oz penne pasta Gluten Free friends use your favorite gf penne
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 3 small cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 1 white onion peeled and chopped
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 25 oz jar marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
  1. Cook Penne pasta according to package instructions minus two minutes. While water heats and pasta cooks, prepare other ingredients.
  2. Drain pasta and transfer to baking dish. (I used four ceramic baking dishes, see photo)
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, place oven rack in center of oven.
  4. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for two minutes until onion is translucent.
  5. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it turns from pink to white.
  6. Add marinara, water, basil, and oregano 
  7. Bring to simmer, reduce heat to medium and cook for five minutes. Add salt and pepper if desired.
  8. Pour sausage mixture over penne. Top with cheese. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  9. Let stand for five minutes before serving. Enjoy!

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