Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

This dump and bake one pot pasta is so easy and so very delicious! The penne cooks with all the other ingredients to make it the simplest dish ever. Pasta, tomato sauce, sausage, and mozzarella – everyone loves this cozy meal!

I’m currently in the throes of a baked pasta obsession. It started with my Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake and now I’m a baked pasta-aholic. This should surprise nobody because I do love a meal that’s ready fast and requires minimal prep. It doesn’t get much easier that this!

The baked pasta we’re chatting about today uses penne. It cooks in the tomato sauce so there’s no time wasted boiling the pasta separately. In fact everything cooks together. I’m going to show you how to dump it all in a baking dish and then (gasp) just go live your life with all this newfound time you have since you’re not chopping a hundred things or scrubbing dishes.

The sauce we’re making here is a simple combination of canned crushed tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, water, cream cheese, and minced garlic. It’s delightfully flavorful without any fuss. Chicken sausage and melted mozzarella make this one pot meal the ultimate dinner. It’s perfect for feeding your hungry family or storing in the fridge for meal prep. I really can’t wait for you to try this!

Ingredients for Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

• Penne pesta: We’re baking the penne in the tomato sauce to make the easiest one pot meal!
• Chicken sausages: Use whatever fully cooked sausage you enjoy best. I love chicken sausage but beef, pork, or turkey sausage are all delicious in here too. I like Applegate or Aidell’s chicken sausage (find it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store beside the hot dogs). Both Publix and Target have great store brand chicken sausages I often purchase too!
• Canned crushed tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes quickly help us achieve the texture and flavor we want for the tomato sauce.
• Canned diced tomatoes: I recommend fire-roasted diced tomatoes if it’s available in your grocery store.
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese adds a creaminess to our finished pasta. I use low fat cream cheese (Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat) but any will work.
• Garlic: You can mince your own garlic or use a jarred variety.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper are all you need to add more flavor to this easy entree.
• Mozzarella: After the pasta is finished baking we’re adding shredded mozzarella over top and popping it back in the oven. That melty cheesy goodness is the perfect finishing touch!

How to Make Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

Spray the sides and bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. (I use an avocado oil spray.)

Add the penne pasta, sliced chicken sausage, canned crushed tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, water, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir. Place the block of cream cheese in the center.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes in your preheated oven.

Remove from the oven. Uncover and stir to break up the cream cheese. You don’t want any white clumps of cream cheese. Spread the shredded mozzarella over the top of everything. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 15 minutes or until mozzarella is melted and pasta is fully cooked.

How to Store Leftovers

Want to enjoy this recipe the next day or later in the week? This recipe is great for meal prep! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

How to Serve This Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake

This dish is designed to be a standalone meal but I love it paired with a simple side salad to balance the richness of the pasta. My Easy Homemade Italian Dressing is a popular choice!

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