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Easy Cheesy Lazy Crockpot Italian Sausage Pasta Bake

crockpot italian sausage pasta bake - featured image
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A comforting, cheesy, and hearty slow cooker pasta bake featuring Italian sausage and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 12 oz (340 g) uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • 14.5 oz (411 g) canned diced tomatoes
  • 15 oz (425 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
  3. Transfer the sausage mixture to the slow cooker. Add canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
  4. Pour the uncooked pasta directly into the slow cooker and stir to mix evenly.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, stirring halfway through to prevent pasta from sticking. The pasta should be tender but not mushy.
  6. Once pasta is cooked, sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the top. Cover and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden.
  7. Gently stir the bake to combine melted cheese throughout, then serve hot. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Brown the sausage first to build flavor and render fat. Do not pre-cook pasta; add uncooked pasta directly to the slow cooker. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. Add cheese at the end to preserve gooey texture. Adjust red pepper flakes for heat preference. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check sausage ingredients. For dairy-free, substitute cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot pasta bake, Italian sausage pasta, cheesy pasta bake, slow cooker dinner, comfort food, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/easy-cheesy-lazy-crockpot-italian-sausage-pasta-bake-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-food/