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Italian Sausage Casserole | The Recipe Critic

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This one-pan Italian Sausage Casserole is filled with tender pasta, flavorful sausage, rich marinara, and gooey melted cheese. It’s an easy dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. It’s a recipe the whole family will love!

Overhead shot of Italian sausage casserole. Overhead shot of Italian sausage casserole.

Reasons You’ll Love This Easy Casserole

  • One-Dish Meal: I love how quickly and easily you can whip this meal up. Not only is it easy to make, but clean up is a snap because it all cooks in one pan! Prep is only 5 minutes!
  • Comfort Food Classic: This dish is a classic and so comforting. Make it with my homemade garlic breadair fryer vegetables and an Olive Garden salad.
  • Family-Friendly: When it comes to pleasing the kids, this dish will do it! Most kids love pasta, and the flavorful sausage will be their new favorite.

Ingredients for Italian Sausage Casserole

This recipe is made with simple, everyday ingredients. In fact, you might already have them in your pantry or fridge! The flavors meld together as everything bakes in one dish. Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Italian Sausage Links: Adds the best rich, savory flavor and a hint of spice. Any fully cooked sausage works.
  • Penne Pasta: The hearty base that soaks up the flavors of the sauce and broth.
  • Chicken Broth: Used to cook the pasta directly in the dish. Water works in a pinch!
  • Marinara Sauce: Provides a bold tomato flavor and ties everything together.
  • Italian Seasoning: Gives the dish the best flavor. You can use store bought or my homemade Italian seasoning!
  • Salt and pepper: Enhances and balances the overall flavors.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into the perfect melty top.
Overhead shot of labeled ingredients. Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.

Italian Sausage Casserole Recipe

This casserole is so simple to make that you’ll want to add it to your regular meal rotation. It will only take you 5 minutes to throw together! The hardest part is waiting for it to finish cooking. Here’s how it all comes together:

  1. Add: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and then spray a 9x13x2-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Slice the sausage into ¼-inch thick rounds, then place the sausage disks on top of the uncooked pasta at the bottom of the baking dish.
  2. Combine: Pour the broth, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning over the sausage and pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste, then stir to combine.
  3. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, then bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and stir the casserole. If the noodles aren’t cooked through yet, add more broth or water. Stir, cover, and then cook for 5 more minutes.
  4. Add Cheese: When the noodles are cooked and tender, top the casserole with the parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Customize This Recipe

The great thing about this one pan recipe is how easy it is to adjust it by using what you have on hand. Here are some easy ways to make this Italian sausage casserole your own!

  • Different Pasta: You can use whatever pasta you have on hand. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of pasta you use. 
  • For Moisture: You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water in this recipe. I like the chicken broth because it gives the dish more flavor. 
  • Alternative Sauce: Try using an alfredo or vodka sauce in place of marinara for a fun twist!

Side shot of someone lifting a scoop of Italian sausage casserole out of the dish.Side shot of someone lifting a scoop of Italian sausage casserole out of the dish.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

You’ll be lucky if you have leftovers! This Italian sausage casserole is the best for quick lunches the next day or through the week. It’s great for meal prep or for the kids to heat up after they get home from school.

  • Refrigerator: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
  • Freezer: You can store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend storing in single-serving portions so it’s easier to heat up. Just make sure you thaw before reheating.
  • Reheat: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also rewarm individual servings in the microwave.

Close up shot of plated Italian sausage casserole. Close up shot of plated Italian sausage casserole.

More Pasta Casserole Recipes To Try

I am here to help make your life easier. What is easier than a crowd pleasing one pot casserole? They’re warm, comforting, and so easy to make! For more dinner inspo, check out my full list of casseroles!

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  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9x13x2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  • Slice the sausage into ¼-inch thick rounds and place the sausage disks in the bottom of the baking dish with the uncooked pasta.

  • Pour the broth, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste over the sausage and pasta. Stir to combine.

  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and stir the casserole. If the noodles aren’t cooked through yet, add more broth or water, stir, cover, and cook for five more minutes.

  • When the noodles are cooked and tender, top the casserole with the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  • Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Calories: 675kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 32gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 1523mgPotassium: 426mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 338mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.




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