Description
This Baked Penne offers an irresistible blend of flavors with Italian sausage, cheeses, and a rich tomato sauce. It’s a simple and comforting choice for quick dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 teaspoon olive oil, or cooking oil of choice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup shallots, (or onions) minced
- 12 oz italian sausage, removed from casing
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- ¾ cup low fat (2%) cottage cheese, small curds
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped italian parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells to al dente according to package directions, then drain and let cool.
- In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallots; cook for 2-3 minutes until softened, stirring frequently.
- Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces and cooking until browned. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste and allow sauce to cool for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the cooled sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cubes. Toss thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted. Broil for 30-45 seconds to achieve a golden top. Let stand for 5-8 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra flavor, try using spicy Italian sausage.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers into the mix for added nutrition.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg