Cheese, Pasta and Italian Sausage…need I say more! Okay, I will tell you why you need this super creamy, cheesy dish in your life. It just takes a few minutes cooking on the stove stop, then pop it in the oven to bake a few minutes. Deliciousness is served. I’m talking sooo good! But warning: It makes a lot.  If you have a small family, you may want to cut it in half or better yet, make the whole dish, and freeze half for later.  But if you are like me, you may want to devour the rest for lunch the next day. 

Cheesy Penne & Sausage

Cheesy penne noodles with sausage and roasted peppers. Baked to perfection in a creamy garlic sauce.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces penne noodles uncooked
  • pounds Mild Italian turkey sausage casings removed
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped may sub sundried tomatoes, drained
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • cups 1% milk or fat free half and half
  • cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/4 cups grated cheddar divided; may sub parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook Penne according to package directions. 
  2. Remove casings from sausage and saute sausage in a large pan. Breaking up pieces as it cooks. Cook for 5-7 minutes until cooked through. During the last minute of cooking add garlic. Remove from the heat, and transfer the sausage to a large bowl along with cooked penne noodles, and roasted red peppers.

  3. Wipe down the pan you were using for the sausage with a paper towel. Then add the butter to pan and stir until melted. Add flour and stir again until mixed together. Gradually whisk in milk; then chicken broth.  Bring to boil, then lower heat until slightly thickened. (It will still be somewhat on the liquid side, but will thicken once it bakes)  Add onion powder, salt and pepper, and 1 cup cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and smooth.

  4. Add sauce to bowl with sausage, peppers, and noodles and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the top and bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

I like to change up the cheese...sometimes Cheddar and other times Parmesan. Both  provide distinctive flavors, but both work well! Choose your fav.

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