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There’s just something about hearing the oven humming away on a weeknight and knowing there’s cheesy, crave-worthy comfort food bubbling inside. For me, this Italian-inspired chicken and sausage pasta bake is pure magic—it’s what I make when the week feels long or I want an easy dinner that feels just a little bit special, no matter the day. When you toss together everyday basics like pasta, peppers, sausage, and a little rotisserie chicken in a saucy, cheesy casserole, somehow it always ends up tasting like a big, warm hug. And honestly, who doesn’t need that?
The thing I love most about bakes like this is how forgiving they are. Change up the pasta, trade bell peppers for mushrooms, use up that last cup of mozzarella or toss in some extra cheese from the fridge (don’t ever apologize for too much cheese!). It all comes together in the coziest, most satisfying way—just the thing to gather everyone around the table, even if it’s only the dog eyeing you for a bite.
Why You’ll Love It
- Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Juicy chicken and Italian sausage mingling under a blanket of gooey cheese—it’s almost impossible to be in a bad mood with just one bite of this.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can assemble everything up to the baking step and tuck it in the fridge (or even stash in the freezer). Perfect for those busy nights, unexpected company, or the “I just can’t” evenings we all have now and then.
- Custom-Friendly: Clean out the veggie drawer, play with a mix of cheeses, make it spicy or mellow—this one’s as flexible and forgiving as your favorite pair of yoga pants.
- Better Leftovers: Let’s be honest, the flavors get richer the next day. Lunch, snack, midnight fridge raid—don’t be surprised if it calls your name at all hours.
- One-Dish Wonder: Fewer dirty dishes. More time for catching up on your show, cuddling the dog, or scrolling TikTok in pure, cheesy bliss.
Timing and Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 6–8 generous helpings (or let’s be honest, 4 if you have hungry teens or a partner who can pack it in!)
If you grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken, you’ll shave off even more time. And if you want to double it up (for a hungry crowd, meal prep, or a friend who needs comfort food), just split it into two baking dishes and you’re good to go.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken breasts (cooked, cooled, and cut into bite-sized pieces—rotisserie chicken is my shortcut BFF)
- 6 links Italian sausage (mild or hot, browned and sliced—go spicy if your crew likes it!)
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or those cute shells—just use what you love or have on hand)
- 2 jars (about 6 cups) good-quality tomato or spaghetti sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (I love one red and one green for the color boost), roughly chopped
- 2 cups pizza cheese blend (mozzarella, cheddar, or just every last cheese you find in the fridge drawer)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for sprinkling (optional but so pretty!)
Substitution tips: Dark meat chicken totally works, ground Italian sausage is welcome, and if your cheese drawer is mostly bits and bobs, just toss ‘em all in. No bell peppers? Mushrooms, spinach, shredded zucchini—use whatever you like. Want a little briny punch? Black olives would be delicious too.
Directions
1. Prep the Chicken: If you’re starting with raw chicken, season and bake, poach, or grill until just cooked through (no pink! About 20 minutes at 375°F works nicely). Let it cool for a few minutes and cut into hearty chunks (but if you’re using rotisserie, break it up and call it done—zero shame in shortcuts, ever!).
2. Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook your sausage links until they’re browned and cooked through. Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then slice into thick, hearty pieces. You really want those bites to stand out!
3. Sauté the Veggies: Don’t clean the skillet! All those sausage drippings are pure flavor gold. Toss in your chopped onion and peppers, and sauté until just softened and starting to get golden, about 4–5 minutes. (If you’re adding mushrooms or zucchini for extra veggies, toss them in now.)
4. Boil the Pasta: Bring a big pot of salty water to a boil and cook the pasta just shy of done—the oven will finish the job, so aim for firm al dente. Reserve a little bit of the starchy pasta water to loosen things up if needed (trust me, sometimes this bake gets thick!). Drain and set aside.
5. Mix Everything Together: Grab your largest bowl (or use the pasta pot like I do when I inevitably underestimate just how much food I’ve made). Dump in the cooked pasta, chicken, sausage, sautéed veggies, and all your sauce. Give it a big, careful mix—it’ll look like a ton, but it’ll all fit! If the mixture seems super thick, add a splash or two of the pasta water so it’s creamy and scoopable.
6. Assemble the Bake: Scoop everything into a deep, greased 9×13-inch baking dish. It’ll be extra full—just press it down gently. Scatter your cheese blend over the top (don’t hold back!). If you’ve got a chunk of Parmesan or some provolone slices, add those on top for that golden-brown, melty finish.
7. Bake: Pop the dish, uncovered, into a 325°F oven. Let it bake for 40–45 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to get beautifully golden around the edges. Your kitchen will smell like you’ve got an Italian grandma in residence—fair warning, neighbors might come knocking.
8. Let It Rest & Serve: The hardest part? Wait 5 minutes before scooping it out. This helps everything set up and keeps you from ending up with a runny, cheesy avalanche (unless you’re into that). Sprinkle on some fresh basil or parsley if you have it. Serve with garlic bread, a green salad, or honestly, just a big fork and your comfiest sweatpants. (And yes—nabbing those crispy cheese edges before anyone sees is 100% legitimate. Call it the cook’s reward!)
Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip the meat and pile in mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or eggplant. Plant-based sausage crumbles? So good here too.
- Spicy: Go with hot Italian sausage, pepper jack cheese, or red pepper flakes in the sauce if you like a little kick. (My husband always reaches for extra…)
- Creamy: For a softer, almost lasagna-like vibe, dollop in some ricotta or swirl a little cream cheese in before baking. Super indulgent, super worth it.
- Extra Cheesy: I mean… I can’t be the only one who thinks the more cheese, the better. Go half mozzarella, half sharp cheddar, sprinkle on a little fontina or even provolone if you feel fancy.
- Gluten-Free: Super simple—just use your favorite gluten-free pasta. No flavor lost, promise.
Tip: This recipe is nearly impossible to mess up. Use what’s in your pantry, raid the veggie drawer, and don’t stress if it’s not perfect—somehow, it’s even better that way.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Pop leftovers in a covered container. They keep at least three days—and honestly, I think it’s even better the next day. Breakfast pasta? I won’t judge.
- Reheat: The oven keeps things the gooiest: cover with foil and warm at 350°F for 10–15 minutes. For quick bites, microwave works too—just add a splash of water or extra sauce if things look dry.
- Freezer: Freeze the unbaked casserole (right after assembling, before the cheese goes on) for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, top with cheese, and bake as usual—add about 10 minutes if it still feels chilly in the middle.
- Make-Ahead: I love assembling the whole thing a day early, wrapping it tight, and popping it in the fridge. Straight from fridge to oven when you need a dinner win (zero fuss, all the flavor).
And oh—the leftovers make the dreamiest lunchbox treat. I swear pasta bake in a thermos will never come home again!
FAQs
Can I use ground sausage instead of links?
Of course—the flavor’s all there. Just brown it well, drain any extra fat, and toss it in with the other ingredients.
What’s the best pasta shape?
Stick to chunky shapes with ridges or pockets—penne, rigatoni, big shells all grab that saucy, cheesy goodness. Long pasta isn’t ideal here, but hey, I’m not the pasta police.
How do I avoid a soggy bake?
Undercook your pasta just a bit, and don’t pour in tons of extra sauce. The oven will soften everything up just right—no mushy noodles on my watch.
Can I add extra veggies?
Yes please! Broccoli, carrots, whatever’s feeling a bit wilty in the crisper. Heartier veggies do best with a quick sauté or steam before baking (so they end up tender, not crunchy and confused).
Can I skip the cheese?
Technically… yes. But honestly—why? Dairy-free cheese or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add flavor if you need it.
Conclusion
This Italian Bake is what I turn to when I want a meal that feels like pure comfort—filling, forgiving, and somehow exactly what I need after a long, messy day (or week, if I’m being honest!). If you give it a try, let me know what you think or how you customize it. Did you sneak in extra veggies, switch up the cheese, or just need to vent about how fast it disappeared? Leave a comment below—I absolutely love hearing all your pasta stories. Pull up a chair, grab the coziest plate you have, and let dinner be a little easier tonight. You’ve earned it.
Italian Bake
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken breasts cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 links Italian sausage cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 jars spaghetti sauce or cans, Hunt's recommended
- 1 pound pasta penne, macaroni, shells, or your favorite type
- 1 package pizza cheese blend mozzarella, cheddar, and other cheeses
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 bell peppers 1 red and 1 green, cut into chunks
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cook the chicken breasts until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Let cool, then cut into bite-sized pieces. In a skillet, cook Italian sausage links over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Let cool and cut into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion and cut the red and green bell peppers into chunks.
- In a large pot, boil water and cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, sausage, chopped onion, and bell pepper chunks. Pour in the spaghetti sauce and mix well, ensuring everything is coated.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a large, deep baking dish. Spread evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded pizza cheese blend over the top of the casserole, covering it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.