Hearty baked pasta with Italian sausage and roasted peppers
Baked Penne with Sausage and Peppers
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6
1 large casserole
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Baked Penne with Sausage and Peppers
Hearty baked pasta with Italian sausage and roasted peppers
★4.3(18)
A satisfying baked pasta featuring penne with Italian sausage, sweet roasted peppers, and a bubbly mozzarella and provolone cheese topping.
10m
Prep Time
35m
Cook Time
45m
Total Time
6
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This baked penne is the kind of meal that feeds a crowd with minimal effort. Italian sausage brings its own complex seasoning to the party, sweet bell peppers add color and brightness, and the two-cheese topping melts into a stretchy, golden blanket that makes everyone lean in for another scoop.
It is a dump-it-together-and-bake recipe at heart, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or anytime you need to feed a lot of people without a lot of fuss. Double the recipe for a full sheet pan and watch it disappear.
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot), casings removed
- 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Kosher salt and black pepper
HeatTool
Test Kitchen Pick
Saute Pan
Helpful Tool
Why a wide pan helps here
Recipes like this come together better when there is room to toss pasta or noodles directly in the sauce instead of crowding a smaller skillet.
A wider pan makes the sauce-and-finish step much easier.
- Better for tossing noodles in sauce
- More useful than a single-purpose pasta gadget
A large saute pan earns its keep quickly if pasta or noodle dishes are in regular rotation.
Shop saute pan options for this recipeInstructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook penne until 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain.
- 2
In a large oven-safe skillet, brown sausage over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbles, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and onion, cooking 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- 3
Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer 2 minutes.
- 4
Add the drained penne and toss to coat. Top with mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan.
- 5
Bake for 15-18 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is golden. Garnish with fresh basil.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Substitutions
Italian sausageGround turkey with Italian seasoning
Season with fennel seed, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
PenneRigatoni or ziti
Any sturdy tube pasta is perfect.
ProvoloneFontina or Gruyere
Both melt beautifully and add depth.
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use a mix of sweet and hot sausage for balanced heat.
Broil for the last 2 minutes for an extra-golden cheese top.
Add a handful of fresh arugula on top after baking for a peppery contrast.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Label with the date and recipe name.
Reheating
Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes or microwave individual portions.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 large scoop) · 6 servings
Calories520
LowModerateHigh
A hearty, energy-rich serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein26g
Carbohydrates52g
Fat22g
Fiber3g
Sugar8g
Sodium880mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I add vegetables?
- Zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli are all great additions.
- Can I use turkey sausage?
- Yes, it is leaner but works well. Add a drizzle of olive oil to compensate for less fat.
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About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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