Mom's Favorite Budget Pasta Casserole Recipe (20 Minutes, 5 Ingredients) by Donna John

I'm trying not save money and use what I have in my pantry and fridge. When all I had in the produce drawer was half a bag of carrots, one red onion and a couple lemons, I had to great creative for dinner. This easy five-ingredient pasta casserole recipe with Italian sausage was created by what I had on hand – and it was a success!

This high-protein pasta casserole recipe has only five ingredients and is on the table in about 20 minutes. While I didn't have to shop for my ingredients, here is your shopping list if you are able to get to the grocery store: Italian sausage, pasta, spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. The casserole starts on the stovetop, then takes a quick trip under the broiler to melt the cheese and turn it a light golden brown. Delicious.

Cooking Tips

• Ground beef or ground turkey could be used instead of Italian sausage. If using Italian sausage, regular, mild, sweet or hot would work, depending on your family's tastes

• If you don't have an ovenproof skillet, pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish before topping with the cheese. I used a cast iron skillet.

• If you want to skip broiling the casserole to melt the cheese, simply sprinkle with the cheese then cover the skillet until the cheese melts.

• Use your favorite spaghetti or marinara sauce for this recipe. I used Rao's brand marinara sauce.

• You could add chopped onion or sliced shallots to the sausage while you brown it for even more flavor.

• For some heat, stir in some crushed red pepper flakes. You could also add some dried Italian seasoning.

• Use whatever short or medium pasta you like. I used penne, but rotini, fusilli, rigatoni, cavatappi, elbows, bowties or shells would work.

Casseroles are always a good choice for dinner, especially if they are quick, easy, filling and budget-friendly like this one. Serve this comforting high-protein casserole with your favorite side dishes. I was out of salad ingredients and fresh vegetables, so I served mine with poor man's garlic bread.

Cuisine: Italian / American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage 
• 12 - 16 ounces penne pasta (or your favorite pasta) 
• 23 - 28 ounces (1 jar) spaghetti sauce
• 1 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside. (Do not overcook your pasta.)
   
2. Cook the Italian sausage in an ovenproof skillet until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
   
3. Add the cooked pasta and spaghetti sauce.
   
4. Stir to combine.
   
5. Top with the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
   
6. Pop the skillet under the broiler for a couple minutes to melt the cheese. Serve and enjoy!
   
7. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
   
   

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