A comforting and flavorful baked pasta dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Greasing the dish prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
In a large saucepan, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
Use a wooden spoon to break the sausage into even pieces for uniform cooking.
Add the chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the saucepan. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
Stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
Stir in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and add to the sauce mixture, stirring to combine.
Reserve a bit of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
Mix in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring it's evenly distributed.
The cheese will melt slightly, binding the pasta and sauce together.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Smooth the top for even baking.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated parmesan cheese over the top.
For a golden crust, ensure the cheese layer is even.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Removing the foil allows the cheese to brown nicely.
Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious baked pasta!
Cooling slightly helps the dish set, making it easier to serve.
Continua nella nostra app per un'esperienza migliore
