Smoked Sausage Pasta Bake

Your family will love this Smoked Sausage Pasta – smoked sausage, tomatoes, two kinds of cheese, pasta, and spinach combined into one delicious casserole!

Serve this tasty pasta dish when you want to make sure everyone cleans their plate! Is there ever a time when pasta isn’t a hit? I know it always is at my house!

TASTY BAKED PASTA

We are lovers of pasta at our house. I am always looking for new ways to serve it because although spaghetti is great, it can get old.

I had some smoked sausage in the fridge that I needed to use up, and saw this recipe over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I thought it would be a winner, and I was right. Everyone in the family loved it!

HOW TO MAKE PASTA WITH SMOKED SAUSAGE

1. PREP – Spray a large casserole dish or 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. PASTA – Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until barely done. Add the spinach at the end, then drain and set aside in the colander.
3. SAUTE – While the noodles are cooking, cut the smoked sausage in half lengthwise, then cut into slices. Cook sausage and onion in a large skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is tender. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds.
4. COMBINE – Stir in the tomatoes and herbs, simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add the cream, cubed mozzarella, cooked pasta, and spinach. Heat through.
5. BAKE – Pour mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 400° for about 25 minutes.

That crunchy cheese on the top is my favorite part, but if you just want melted cheese that doesn’t brown, cover the dish with foil before baking.

Leftovers?

You can store this leftover pasta in the refrigerator for 3-4 days if covered tightly. Reheat leftovers in the microwave. It does dry out in the fridge, so it’s a good idea to add a splash of milk or cream.

I don’t recommend freezing this dish because the noodles tend to get mushy.

VARIATIONS:

• If you have time, saute the smoked sausage in a bit of oil before adding it to the pasta dish. The caramelization adds a yummy depth of flavor.
• For a bit of a kick, add some red pepper flakes and top with pepper jack cheese.
• Switch up the vegetables. Diced onion, red pepper, asparagus, and spinach are all tasty. You could also try mushrooms, broccoli, or any vegetables you like.
• Smoked sausage is our favorite for this dish, but Italian sausage and ground pork sausage are also tasty.
• No penne on hand? You can use any type of pasta you have in your pantry. I’ve also had great results with rotini and bow tie pasta.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH PASTA

• Zucchini and Carrots
• Spinach Salad with Bacon
• Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
• Oven Roasted Cauliflower

MORE TASTY PASTA RECIPES:

• Italian Chicken Pasta
• Lemon Chicken Pasta
• Pumpkin Sausage Pasta

Smoked Sausage Pasta Recipe

Smoked Sausage Pasta Bake

Kara

Packed with flavor, this smoked sausage pasta casserole is cheesy, hearty, and simply delicious!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Dish: Pork

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 538 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 12 ounces smoked sausage
• 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ cup cream
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese cut in small cubes
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese grated

Instructions

 

• Cut sausage in half lengthwise, then cut in slices.
• Cook pasta in salted water till al dente. Add spinach right at the end so it will wilt. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage and onion in oil over medium heat till onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
• Stir in tomatoes, oregano and basil; simmer for 8-10 minutes.
• Add cream, cubed mozzarella, pasta, and spinach. Heat through.
• Pour mixture into a greased 9×13" pan. Top with parmesan and grated mozzarella cheese.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until edges are bubbly and cheese is lightly browned.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 538kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 22gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 749mgPotassium: 567mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1314IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 246mgIron: 3mg

Keyword smoked sausage and penne pasta

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Looking for an easy dinner recipe that always wins rave reviews? Give this creamy smoked sausage and pasta dish a try!