Ingredients for Baked Penne With Red Pepper Sauce
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 roasted red bell pepper
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- as needed Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- as needed cumin
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb penne pasta
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How to Make Baked Penne With Red Pepper Sauce
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (removed from casings) and cook over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off excess grease and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 medium onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 medium zucchini (chopped), and 1 red bell pepper (chopped). Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- While vegetables are cooking, roast 1 red bell pepper in a separate pan until blackened on all sides; cool. Then remove the skin, seeds, and core, and puree the roasted pepper in a blender.
- Add the pureed roasted red pepper to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables.
- Stir in 24 oz jar of tomato sauce, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional), and salt/pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook 1 lb penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour 1/3 of the sauce into the bottom of the dish.
- Add the cooked penne to the remaining sauce, and stir to coat.
- Add half of the penne mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine 15 oz container of ricotta cheese and 1 large egg. Spread evenly over the penne in the baking dish.
- Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add the remaining penne mixture, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and slightly browned.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
72 g
Sugar
31g
Fat
77g
Carbs
19g
