Baked Pasta with Sausage, Peppers and Broccoli Rabe

Thursday, July 29, 2021
This Baked Cavatelli pasta is a delicious layered casserole with Italian Marinara tomato sauce, Baked sausage sliced peppers, and sauteed Broccoli Rabe.


The flavors together are fabulous if you're a fan and take a little more time if you make this all from scratch as shown.


The casserole is very filling, so it certainly will feed a family who has hearty appetites.


Of course, the recipe has wonderful fresh flavors and for those who want to substitute some of the ingredients, we have some suggestions you can try.


You may also like our 15 Easy Pasta Recipe Roundup or our 15 One-Pan Favorite Meals recipes.


Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.



this is cavatelli pasta with peppers, sausage and broccoli rabe







Two Ways To Make This Dish



The first way is to cook the sausage, peppers, and sauteed broccoli rabe,  then add this mixture to your favorite marinara sauce until done, poured over any cooked pasta dish.


The second way is to layer cooked sausage, peppers, broccoli rabe in a casserole dish with the cooked sausage, peppers, pasta, cheeses, and baked.


I have made this both ways with just a pot of sauce over angel hair is our favorite and baked with cavatelli in the oven and both are delicious!



a collage of how to make a broccoli rabe, sausage and tomato sauce topped pasta dish



Other Substitutions and Sauce Additions

  • any kind of pasta you like can be used
  • any other vegetables to substitute, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, escarole, onions, eggplant, zucchini slices, or regular broccoli instead of broccoli rabe
  • roasted red, bell peppers, or hot peppers
  • meatballs, sliced of cooked steak, pork or lamb, prosciutto, or capicola instead of sausage
  • shrimp or another seafood you like
  • if you want to substitute the mozzarella I would recommend provolone or fontina
  • use broccolini if you can't find broccoli rabe
  • always sauteed the vegetables and meats using first to make sure they are flavored with garlic before adding them to the sauce



sausage and broccoli rabe sauteed



Pasta Suggestions

  1. rigatoni
  2. bowties
  3. mostaccioli
  4. fusilli
  5. seashells
  6. angel hair, linguine, fettucini, vermicelli, buccatini, spaghetti



this is a casserole of cavatelli pasta with broccoli rabe and pepper topped with shredded mozzarella



Ingredients You Will Need(for exact measurements scroll down to the recipe card)

  1. pasta of your choice I used Homemade Cavatelli
  2. tomato sauce Homemade or jarred
  3. Italian sausage or another meat you prefer
  4. Broccoli Rabe or another vegetable you prefer
  5. granulated garlic
  6. fresh chopped parsley
  7. egg
  8. whole milk ricotta
  9. Pecorino Romano cheese
  10. shredded mozzarella or use a shredded mixed Italian cheese
  11. Optional Garnish: red pepper flakes and more Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh basil leaves




this is a homemade tomato sauce


Tips

  • cook any kind of pasta you like to package instructions and keep warm
  • to save time use a jarred marinara sauce
  • make a full meat casserole or all vegetable
  • to save time, air fry the sausage then slice it
  • use a medley of vegetables and omit the meat for vegetarian
  • use jarred roasted peppers to save time
  • for a healthier version use turkey sausage, part-skim ricotta instead of whole milk, and whole wheat or a low carb pasta of your choice
  • don't overcook the pasta, make it al denti it will finish cooking when baked in the oven
  • always use Pecorino Romano blended cheese and whole milk mozzarella for best results in the flavor
  • the broccoli rabe, sausage, peppers, and mushrooms if using can all be baked on a cookie sheet first with garlic and oil instead of frying




this is baked cavatelli with sausage and shredded cheese on top



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this is a dish of cavatelli pasta with sauce, sausage, peppers and broccoli rabe



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Cavatelli Step By Step




This pasta dish is done with several recipes using baked Italian sausage and peppers, sauteed broccoli rabe, homemade tomato sauce, pasta and then layered with ricotta and mozzarella cheese repeat.



I love the sausage baked and crispy and the peppers roasted within the sausage oils, this isn't soaked in tomato sauce and is just a top layer with melted cheese on top of the pasta.



Remember as I said about the recipes are in links for homemade Cavatelli, Marinara Sauce, Broccoli Rabe sauteed, Italian sausage, and peppers (omit the potatoes).



Now that you have a good idea of how it's put together, I will give you options in the recipe card below on how to make this with store-bought ingredients and a quicker version.



Baked Pasta with Sausage, Peppers and Broccoli Rabe

Baked Pasta with Sausage, Peppers and Broccoli Rabe

Yield: 10
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 35 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 55 Min
This Italian pasta dish is filled with delicious pasta layered with ricotta, tomato sauce, sausage, peppers, and broccoli rabe.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Cavatelli store-bought or my Homemade Cavatelli Recipe or any favorite pasta cooked to package instructions
  • 2 cleaned and sliced bell peppers cooked with theItalian Sausage and sliced ( baked together or pan-fried)
  • 1 bunch of cleaned and sauteed Broccoli Rabe your favorite way to make them or myHomemade Broccoli Rabe Directions
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1 - 15 ounce container of whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • granulated garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper
  • 2 cups of whole milk shredded mozzarella
  • 3 or 4 cups of your favorite Italian Marinara tomato sauce or my Homemade Tomato Sauce
  • Optional Garnish: red pepper flakes, Pecorino Romano cheese grated

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350.
  2. Heat the sauce you're using.
  3. Slice the sausage and place that in a dish with the peppers set aside.
  4. Mix the ricotta cheese with 1 egg, salt, pepper to taste, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, and 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder set aside.
  5. Make sure the broccoli rabe is cooked ( again see links for the recipe or use your own).
  6. Boil the pasta to the directions on the package or for homemade until they float to the top.
  7. Oil spray a 13 x 9 casserole baking dish. Set aside.
  8. Now all the ingredients should be ready to layer.
  9. First bottom layer:  tomato sauce to cover the bottom, next ricotta cheese, and a little mozzarella cheese on top.
  10. Second layer: Add more pasta, tomato sauce more mozzarella.
  11. Top layer: Add sliced sausage with pepper scattered around the top, tomato sauce mozzarella cheese, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
  12. Bake until cheese is melted around 15 minutes, place on broil for browned crispy cheese for 2 minutes on high.
  13. Serving:  Place a scoop of pasta on the plate add the broccoli rabe to the top. Serve with Pecorino Romano Cheese and red pepper flakes,
  14. Note:  Meats, vegetables can be baked on a cookie sheet with garlic, and oil or sauteed on top of the stove in a frying pan.
  15. All meats and vegetables should be cooked before adding to the casserole dish.
  16. The second way to make this is to add all the cooked meats and cooked vegetables to a pot of your favorite sauce,  boil any kind of pasta in another pan, and top with this sauce mixture.

Notes:

Tips

  • cook any kind of pasta you like to package instructions and keep warm
  • to save time use a jarred marinara sauce
  • make a full meat casserole or all vegetable
  • to save time, air fry the sausage then slice it
  • use a medley of vegetables and omit the meat for vegetarian
  • use jarred roasted peppers to save time
  • for a healthier version use turkey sausage, part-skim ricotta instead of whole milk, and whole wheat or a low carb pasta of your choice
  • don't overcook the pasta, make it al denti it will finish cooking when baked in the oven
  • always use Pecorino Romano blended cheese and whole milk mozzarella for best results in the flavor
  • the broccoli rabe, sausage, peppers, and mushrooms if using can all be baked on a cookie sheet first with garlic and oil instead of frying


Other Substitutions and Sauce Additions

  • any kind of pasta you like can be used
  • any other vegetables to substitute, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, escarole, onions, eggplant, zucchini slices, or regular broccoli instead of broccoli rabe
  • roasted red, bell peppers, or hot peppers
  • meatballs, sliced of cooked steak, pork or lamb, prosciutto, or capicola instead of sausage
  • shrimp or another seafood you like
  • if you want to substitute the mozzarella I would recommend provolone or fontina
  • use broccolini if you can't find broccoli rabe
  • always sauteed the vegetables and meats using first to make sure they are flavored with garlic before adding them to the sauce


Nutrition Facts

Calories

351.48

Fat (grams)

16.49

Sat. Fat (grams)

7.94

Carbs (grams)

32.47

Fiber (grams)

3.63

Net carbs

28.84

Sugar (grams)

9.78

Protein (grams)

18.12

Sodium (milligrams)

855.56

Cholesterol (grams)

64.37
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Italian



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this is cavatelli pasta with peppers, sausage and broccoli rabe








19 comments

  1. Pasta and sausage are a great team..this definitely is a crowd pleaser.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bintu | Recipes From A PantryFebruary 28, 2021 at 10:15 AM

    This sounds like a dish that my family would love. We are always looking for new tasty dishes to try as a family and this has plenty of ingredients we all enjoy! Can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks like such a great dinner recipe, can't wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That looks like the perfect comfort food to enjoy while it's so cold.

    ReplyDelete
  5. There are so many delicious flavors in this Italian casserole. It's great to make for a gathering.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My whole family would absolutely love this. I love seeing all of those fresh ingredients

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yummy! This looks great and so tasty! So excited to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This was so easy and authentic. I'll have to check out other recipes on this site!

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  9. This Italian dish is surely a treat. Bursting with all the flavors and perfection of the cheesy spread. I love this awesome dish and the combinations too.

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  10. Wonderful photos and step by step pasta recipe. Looks really delicious. Adding it to my bucket list for eats this week.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't tried this pasta but this looks so delicious. I love the presentation too. I think I might make one for this dinner.

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  12. Looks delicious as always. I like everything in this dish.

    ReplyDelete
  13. A very flavorful dish that we will just love! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,526. Have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just love how you can use any vegetables you have on hand. Such a fabulous way to clear out the fridge but still have a delicious meal!

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  15. Wow! This is going to be perfect for dinner tonight! I have all the ingredients and I know my family is going to love this!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yum! Such a great dinner idea! Can’t wait to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This looks like such a hearty and delicious dinner. Can't wait to make it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love baked pasta, and the fresh ingredients in this one look amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the fresh and bright flavors you brought into this pasta dish

    ReplyDelete

Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia