Sausage and Peppers Baked Pasta Recipe
This cheesy sausage pasta with peppers and creamy tomato sauce is full of flavor and super easy to make. Not only is it great for busy weeknights, it’s also a perfect freezer meal or make-ahead option.
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 374kcal
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta penne, cavatappi, or similar
- 1 pound ground sausage hot or mild
- 1 cup yellow onion diced 1/2"
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup green bell pepper diced 1/2"
- 1 cup red bell pepper diced 1/2"
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper diced 1/2"
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese cut into 1/2" pieces
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook pasta to al dente, according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the ground sausage. Cook while stirring until the sausage is no longer pink. Remove cooked sausage, drain on a paper towel lined plate, and set aside.
- To the same pan, add the diced onions, salt, pepper, and bell peppers with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook over medium heat until the onions are translucent and the peppers are soft.
- Add the cooked sausage, marinara sauce, and cream cheese and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat slightly, stir to melt, then add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix to combine.
- Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and add the pasta mixture, then top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is lightly golden and the sauce is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Storing leftovers: store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Make-ahead tips: Unbaked pasta bake can be covered and stored frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Reheating: drizzle a little extra marinara sauce over the top, cover with aluminum foil, then reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven until warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 684mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 780IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 1mg