If you are like me, you are always running around trying to get things done. This pasta sausage bake is so quick and easy because you make it in the crockpot! No boiling the noodles and the only thing you have to pre-cook is the sausage! In about 4 hours you will have a delicious pasta sausage bake that looks like it came right out of the oven!
Just brown the sausage and drain and then assemble the ingredients. Go get your errands run, or take the kids to soccer practice and when you come back your dinner will be ready to bring to the table!
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground hot or mild Italian sausage (browned and drained)
1 lb. box of pasta, any kind (I used cellentani but penne, ziti would be just as good)
2 jars spaghetti sauce
1 egg
1 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella divided in half
1 cup grated Parmesan divided in half
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. parsley
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic finely chopped
Pam or non-stick spray
Pasta sausage bake
Instructions:
In a small bowl mix ricotta, egg, ½ mozzarella cheese, ½ Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt and pepper. Stir to blend all the ingredients together.
Next, spray your crockpot liberally with the non-stick spray. Add half the uncooked noodles into the crockpot. Pour about ¾ of a jar of sauce on the noodles, stir together to make sure you cover them completely. Press down into an even layer.
Now add half the ricotta on top of the noodles. Next, sprinkle half the sausage on top. Add the other third of the jar of sauce on top of the sausage.
Repeat all the layers with the rest of the ingredients. Cover and turn the crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. After four hours test a noodle to see if they are done. If not, continue cooking until the pasta reaches the doneness you prefer.
Add the rest of the cheese on top and cook for 15 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Cut the pasta sausage bake as you would lasagna into squares and serve with a salad and some Italian bread. Yummy and so easy!
Craving more pasta recipes? Try this yummy Mac and cheese recipe from Karyl at Karyls Kulinary Krusade
Recipe contributed by Bowdabra designer (And busy mom) Crystal from Make it easy crafts.