Lenas Pasta Rustica
Lenas Pasta Rustica combines savory sausage, vibrant tomato sauce, and creamy cheeses for a hearty, flavorful Italian-inspired baked pasta perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3/4 lb. chicken or turkey sausage casing removed ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried basil ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. hot red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 28 oz. can tomatoes in puree ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- 1 lb. penne pasta ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. ricotta cheese ⓘ
- 2 c. shredded Fontina or Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 c. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the oil.
- Add the chopped onion; stir until golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute.
- Add the sausage, breaking it into bite-size pieces, and cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
- Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, and hot red pepper flakes.
- Add the canned tomatoes with puree and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10-12 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly oil a baking dish.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until barely al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Drain the pasta well.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, ricotta cheese, and shredded Fontina or Mozzarella cheese.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top.
- Bake until the cheeses are melted and the tips of the pasta are crusty, about 30 minutes.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
657
kcal
33% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).