Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
A blend of Sweet Italian Sausage and ground beef with a hearty dose of vegetables makes this hearty dish a perfect, slightly indulgent winter meal.
Servings: 4
Calories: 360kcal
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 2 - 3 quart casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion sweet
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup sliced red peppers
- 1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms
- 1 tsp dry basil
- ½ tsp dry oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ lb. sweet Italian sausage
- ¼ lb. ground beef at least 93% lean
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes including juice (1 can)
- ¼ cup alfredo sauce
- 2 cups baby kale
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella part skim
- ½ lb. penne pasta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Over medium heat, heat the olive oil. When hot but not sizzling, add the onion and saute for 3 minutes, until translucent. Then add the garlic and saute for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the peppers, mushrooms, and spices and cook for at least 3 minutes, or until the mushrooms are just beginning to turn brown.
- Add the ground sausage and ground beef and cook until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Stir in the tomatoes and their juice and the alfredo sauce and continue cooking for 2 minutes, until just boiling. Then turn off the heat until the pasta is ready.
- In a separate pot, cook the pasta for 8 - 10 minutes, until al dente - meaning it still has a bite to it. Drain, reserving some of the pasta water to add to the sauce.
- Stir the kale into the meat mixture, adding a little pasta water if the sauce is thick, and toss it well to wilt the kale. Add the pasta and mix to coat with the sauce.
- Add ½ the pasta mixture to the casserole dish and top with ¼ cup of the shredded cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheese.
- Cover the dish and place it in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the dish is hot.
Nutrition
Serving: 2cups | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 4mg