Golden Baked Italian Pasta Delight
Indulge in the creamy richness of this Italian-inspired baked pasta dish, featuring tender penne, savory Italian sausage, and a blend of flavorful cheeses seasoned with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
45 min
easy
5 servings
603kcal
calories
40g
carbohydrates
111mg
cholesterol
39g
fat
2g
fiber
25g
protein
19g
saturated fat
771mg
sodium
0g
unsaturated fat
Ingredients
225 grams penne pasta
280 grams Italian sausage
1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
15 grams all-purpose flour
240 ml 1% milk
120 ml heavy whipping cream
60 ml reserved pasta water
35 grams grated mozzarella cheese
35 grams grated provolone cheese
35 grams grated Fontina cheese
35 grams finely grated Parmesan cheese
60 ml julienned sun-dried tomatoes
Directions
Step 1
Boil a large pot of lightly salted water. Add penne and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve 60 ml pasta water.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Step 3
In a skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
Step 4
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir to combine, ensuring no lumps.
Step 5
Pour in milk, cream, and reserved pasta water. Combine mozzarella, provolone, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses in a bowl and stir in about 4/5th of the cheese mixture. Stir to combine. Add penne, cooked Italian sausage, and julienned sun-dried tomatoes to the cheese sauce. Mix to combine and pour into an 8x8 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and lightly golden, about 25 minutes.