Celebratory Band-Style Baked Penne with Spicy Sausage

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

A baked penne pasta dish with spicy Italian sausage and a rich tomato sauce, inspired by the energetic spirit of a rising band. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs penne pasta, casings removed Italian sausage, medium, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1/2 lb, casings removed Italian sausage
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups for pasta cooking water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil in a large pot, add 12 oz penne pasta, and cook for 9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart until browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil into the sauce.
6. Step 6: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the sausage tomato sauce, mixing well.
7. Step 7: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish, sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the remaining mozzarella (3/4 cup) and Parmesan (1/4 cup).
8. Step 8: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.