I Made the Best Italian Sausage Baked Pasta Ever

Italian sausage

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: pork sausage

Turkey sausage is lower in fat while still providing flavor.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories without sacrificing texture.

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese offers a similar texture with fewer calories.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free option that adds umami flavor.

Boil water in a large pot and add salt once boiling.

Add 1 lb of bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook for 11 minutes.

Slice the Italian sausage into pieces.

Heat a pan with a little oil and add the sliced sausage, cooking until charred.

Once the sausage is browned, add the chopped Vidalia onion to the pan.

If desired, add mushrooms or fresh garlic at this point.

Once the sausage is about 90% cooked, blot excess oil with a paper towel if necessary.

Add 1 can of light red kidney beans (with some brine) to the pan.

Pour in your favorite tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce.

Stir the mixture and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

Season the sauce with a pinch of sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper, stirring well.

Combine the cooked bow tie pasta with the sauce mixture in a baking dish.

Flatten the mixture in the baking dish with a spatula.

Top with 8 oz of mozzarella or provolone cheese.

Cover the baking dish with foil, ensuring it doesn't touch the cheese.

Bake in the oven until heated through, then remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens