Baked Penne with Sausage and Creamy Ricotta
This hearty pasta dish is studded with chunks of Italian sausage and mixed with a quick garlic-infused tomato sauce. It's then topped with dollops of fresh ricotta and a sprinkling of both mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano, which form a cheesy layer as the pasta bakes.
Prep Time
• Prep time: 1 hour
• Cook time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pound penne
• 1 1/2 tsps sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 tsp ground fennel
• 3 cups creamy ricotta
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• 3 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• one 28 ounce can tomato puree
• 1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 pound hot or sweet Italian fennel sausage, casings removed
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato puree, water, sugar, bay leaf and fennel. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove the garlic, mash it to a paste and stir it back into the sauce; discard the bay leaf.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Using a slotted spoon, add the cooked sausage to the pasta, then add 1 cup of the tomato sauce and toss to coat the penne.
- Spoon the pasta into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the pasta and dollop large spoonfuls of the Creamy Ricotta on top. Gently fold some of the ricotta into the pasta; don't overmix—you should have pockets of ricotta. Scatter the mozzarella on top and sprinkle with the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake the pasta for about 45 minutes, or until bubbling and golden on top. Let rest for 20 minutes before serving.
This great family recipe is thanks to FOOD & WINE at https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/baked-penne-sausage-and-creamy-ricotta
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