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Creamy Stuffed Italian Sausage Bake

A comforting dish of tender pasta filled with seasoned Italian sausage, creamy sauce, and topped with melted cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Meat and Pasta
  • 1 pound Halal Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 2 cups penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
Cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded Reserve half for topping
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Halal Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the cooked sausage mixture. Stir in the marinara sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Spread the pasta and cheese mixture into a baking dish. Top with the remaining sausage mixture and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella.
  2. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serving
  1. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with additional parsley if desired, then serve hot.

Notes

For a lighter option, ground chicken or turkey seasoned with Italian herbs can be substituted for Halal Italian sausage. Ensure to reserve some cheese for topping before baking for extra melty goodness. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.