Italian Sausage Casserole is a hearty and comforting dinner you can make in just minutes. The gooey melty cheese on top just takes it to a whole new level!

Pasta is comfort food for so many people. Old Fashioned Goulash has been around for almost 100 years for a reason, people enjoy it! This takes pasta to a new level with Italian sausage and cheese that is baked to perfection.

 

I first shared post back in 2014 that used a Progresso sauce that is no longer on the market. I served the Italian sausage mixture over Creamy Polenta and baked it to melt the cheese on top. It was delicious, but unfortunately not really an option any more.

So I am modifying the original recipe and using pasta. That being said, you could still serve over a bed of polenta instead. Polenta is definitely one of those underrated side dishes that once you try, you won’t want to live without.

What You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

• Pasta Sauce – you can use a jar of premade sauce or whatever your favorite is!
• Italian Sausage – I like to use the spicy sausage for more flavor, but mild or sweet works great.
• Mozzarella Cheese – it is best to shred your own
• Garlic
• Dried Pasta – you really can use any shape. I like rigatoni because the sauce gets in there and you don’t end up with any dry pasta. But any short cut shape works just fine.
• Fresh Basil – this is optional but it really adds flavor and freshness after the casserole bakes.

How To Make Italian Sausage Casserole

• Boil Pasta. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the pasta for 3 minutes short of the package directions. You want it to really have a firm bite to it. It will continue to cook with the sauce in the oven.
• Brown Meat. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Cook the sausage, breaking up into small pieces. Once it is no longer pink, drain away the excess grease. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until you can start to smell it.
• Sauce. Pour in the pasta sauce to the sausage. Mix to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 5-10 minutes.
• Mix. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce as well as half of the cheese. Mix until everything is well combined.
• Bake. Pour the pasta mixture into a baking pan and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Cover and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and it is hot and bubbly. You can remove the cover and broil or cook for a few more minutes if you want the cheese browned.

Recipe Tips

• Make sure to undercook the pasta. It will continue to cook with the hot pasta sauce and in the oven. You don’t want mushy pasta, so make sure it really does have a bite to it when you drain it.
• Use whatever your favorite sauce is. That can be a homemade version or it can be a store bought jarred sauce. It is really up to you and how much work you want to put in.
• Make Ahead! Yes, you can absolutely assemble this ahead. Just cover tightly and place in the fridge to bake the next day or freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature before baking.
• Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil to serve if desired.

Serving Suggestions

This sausage casserole is a hearty dish that you really don’t need a lot to go with it. A tossed salad or even a Caesar salad would be delicious. Or you could serve with homemade Crazy Bread or Olive Garden Breadsticks to mix things up.

If you are looking to add veggies to your meal, Roasted Asparagus or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are great to make while the casserole is baking.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

• Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
• Chicken Fajita Casserole
• Taco Braid
• Italian Sausage Soup
• Big Mac Sloppy Joes

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