No Boil Penne Pasta Bake

No Boil Penne Pasta Bake – SUPER easy weeknight meal. Simply mix together a few simple ingredients, pour it into a baking dish, and bake. No need to precook the pasta. It bakes along with everything else! Penne pasta, ricotta cheese, Italian sausage, spaghetti sauce, water, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Serve the pasta with a salad and some garlic bread for a restaurant-quality meal!

Originally posted 10/6/2010

Easy One-Pan Pasta Casserole

This No Boil Penne Pasta Bake is a game-changer, combining the convenience of no-boil penne pasta with layers of rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, Italian sausage, and a generous blanket of gooey mozzarella. The best part? No need to precook the pasta noodles, making it an absolute time-saver without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re a busy home cook or simply looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, this dish is an absolute must-try.

How to Make No-Boil Penne Pasta Bake

This pasta recipe is SUPER easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large skillet brown Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease. In a large bowl, combine the cooked sausage, ricotta cheese, spaghetti sauce, water, garlic powder, uncooked penne pasta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with extra mozzarella. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake. Remove the foil and bake for a few more minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil or fresh parsley.

Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

• Do NOT cook the pasta. Add the pasta uncooked to the casserole mixture. It will cook along with the rest of the ingredients.
• You can use sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, or no meat at all in this recipe.
  • I used Italian sausage, but this is also great with a roll of breakfast sausage such as Jimmy Dean.
• This is a very basic recipe. Feel free to add some vegetables to the pasta mixture.
  • spinach
  • mushrooms
  • onions
  • bell pepper
  • diced tomatoes
• Substitute chicken broth for water for extra flavor.
• My favorite store-bought marinara sauce is Rao’s. I also like La Famiglia DelGrosso, and Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label).
• Can No-Boil Baked Penne be made in advance? Sure. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate overnight.
• Can No-Boil Baked Penne be frozen? Yes! I suggest freezing this after baking and reheating when ready to serve.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.

What to Serve with No-Boil Pasta Bake

Let’s talk about what to serve with this pasta to make it a meal to remember. Consider starting with a crisp mixed greens salad tossed in a creamy Italian dressing – a refreshing contrast to the hearty flavors of the pasta bake. For a touch of indulgence, serve up a side of garlic bread or warm, buttery garlic knots – they’re perfect for mopping up that rich marinara sauce. And speaking of sauce, don’t forget our favorite Italian Green Bean Salad for a bit of green goodness. With these fantastic options, you’ll create a well-rounded and delightful dining experience that’ll have everyone savoring every last bite of that delectable No Boil Penne Pasta Bake.

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Recipe Print Recipe

No Boil Penne Pasta Bake

Author: Plain Chicken

Yield: 8 people

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

No Boil Baked Penne – SUPER easy weeknight meal. Simply mix together a few simple ingredients, pour it into a baking dish, and bake. No need to precook the pasta. It bakes along with everything else! Penne pasta, ricotta cheese, Italian sausage, spaghetti sauce, water, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Serve the pasta with a salad and some garlic bread for a restaurant-quality meal!

Equipment:

• 9×13-inch Baking Dish
• Mixing Bowls
• 12-inch Non-Stick Skillet
• Meat Masher Tool
• Rotary Cheese Grater

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 (26-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1½ cups water
• 1 (15-oz) container ricotta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 8- oz uncooked penne

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 400ºF. Lightly grease 9x13x2-inch casserole dish; set aside.
• In a skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink. Drain fat.
• Combine sauce, water, ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, cooked sausage, parmesan, and uncooked penne pasta.
• Pour into prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
• Bake for 55 minutes. Remove foil and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until bubbly.

Notes:

• Do NOT cook the pasta. Add the pasta uncooked to the casserole mixture. It will cook along with the rest of the ingredients.
• You can use sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, cooked chicken, or no meat at all in this recipe.
• I used Italian sausage, but this is also great with a roll of breakfast sausage such as Jimmy Dean.
• This is a very basic recipe. Feel free to add some vegetables to the pasta mixture. Spinach, cooked mushrooms, onions, bell pepper would all be good.

• My favorite store-bought spaghetti sauces are Rao’s, La Famiglia DelGrosso, and Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label).

• Can No-Boil Baked Penne be made in advance? Sure. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate overnight.
• Can No-Boil Baked Penne be frozen? Yes! I suggest freezing this after baking and reheating when ready to serve.

Plain Chicken

https://www.plainchicken.com/no-boil-baked/

All images and text © Plain Chicken, Inc.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @plainchicken or tag #plainchicken!

Steph